diff --git a/awx/main/models/inventory.py b/awx/main/models/inventory.py
index 606330b939..1c48df5b25 100644
--- a/awx/main/models/inventory.py
+++ b/awx/main/models/inventory.py
@@ -765,6 +765,13 @@ class InventoryUpdate(CommonTask):
         return 50
 
     def signal_start(self, **kwargs):
+        if not self.can_start:
+            return False
+        needed = self._get_passwords_needed_to_start()
+        opts = dict([(field, kwargs.get(field, '')) for field in needed])
+        if not all(opts.values()):
+            return False
+
         json_args = json.dumps(kwargs)
         self.start_args = json_args
         self.save()
diff --git a/awx/main/models/jobs.py b/awx/main/models/jobs.py
index d621ee1404..55516ea5dc 100644
--- a/awx/main/models/jobs.py
+++ b/awx/main/models/jobs.py
@@ -385,6 +385,13 @@ class Job(CommonTask):
         return dependencies
 
     def signal_start(self, **kwargs):
+        if not self.can_start:
+            return False
+        needed = self._get_passwords_needed_to_start()
+        opts = dict([(field, kwargs.get(field, '')) for field in needed])
+        if not all(opts.values()):
+            return False
+
         json_args = json.dumps(kwargs)
         self.start_args = json_args
         self.save()
diff --git a/awx/main/models/projects.py b/awx/main/models/projects.py
index 94ab4d3cb7..37eaa89e67 100644
--- a/awx/main/models/projects.py
+++ b/awx/main/models/projects.py
@@ -377,6 +377,13 @@ class ProjectUpdate(CommonTask):
         return 20
 
     def signal_start(self, **kwargs):
+        if not self.can_start:
+            return False
+        needed = self._get_passwords_needed_to_start()
+        opts = dict([(field, kwargs.get(field, '')) for field in needed])
+        if not all(opts.values()):
+            return False
+
         json_args = json.dumps(kwargs)
         self.start_args = json_args
         self.save()
diff --git a/awx/main/tests/tasks.py b/awx/main/tests/tasks.py
index a33513975b..3bbc4c7843 100644
--- a/awx/main/tests/tasks.py
+++ b/awx/main/tests/tasks.py
@@ -648,7 +648,6 @@ class RunJobTest(BaseCeleryTest):
         self.assertFalse(job.passwords_needed_to_start)
         self.build_args_callback = self._cancel_job_callback
         self.assertTrue(job.signal_start())
-        self.assertEqual(job.status, 'waiting')
         job = Job.objects.get(pk=job.pk)
         self.check_job_result(job, 'canceled')
         self.assertEqual(job.cancel_flag, True)