diff --git a/.vscode/launch.json b/.vscode/launch.json
deleted file mode 100644
index a090e4c..0000000
--- a/.vscode/launch.json
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,22 +0,0 @@
-{
-    // Use IntelliSense to learn about possible attributes.
-    // Hover to view descriptions of existing attributes.
-    // For more information, visit: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=830387
-    "version": "0.2.0",
-    "configurations": [
-        {
-            "name": "vcluster",
-            "type": "go",
-            "request": "launch",
-            "mode": "test",
-            "program": "${workspaceFolder}/vclusterops"
-        },
-        {
-            "name": "commands",
-            "type": "go",
-            "request": "launch",
-            "mode": "test",
-            "program": "${workspaceFolder}/commands"
-        }
-    ]
-}
diff --git a/vclusterops/add_node.go b/vclusterops/add_node.go
index c0e54b4..593a3a7 100644
--- a/vclusterops/add_node.go
+++ b/vclusterops/add_node.go
@@ -162,12 +162,6 @@ func (vcc *VClusterCommands) VAddNode(options *VAddNodeOptions) (VCoordinationDa
 		}
 	}
 
-	// add_node is aborted if requirements are not met
-	err = checkAddNodeRequirements(&vdb, options.NewHosts)
-	if err != nil {
-		return vdb, err
-	}
-
 	err = options.setInitiator(vdb.PrimaryUpNodes)
 	if err != nil {
 		return vdb, err
@@ -180,6 +174,13 @@ func (vcc *VClusterCommands) VAddNode(options *VAddNodeOptions) (VCoordinationDa
 		return vdb, err
 	}
 
+	// add_node is aborted if requirements are not met.
+	// Here we check whether the nodes being added already exist
+	err = checkAddNodeRequirements(&vdb, options.NewHosts)
+	if err != nil {
+		return vdb, err
+	}
+
 	err = vdb.addHosts(options.NewHosts)
 	if err != nil {
 		return vdb, err