diff --git a/daemon/container_operations.go b/daemon/container_operations.go
index db3c7e8518..82ca4701af 100644
--- a/daemon/container_operations.go
+++ b/daemon/container_operations.go
@@ -1072,7 +1072,9 @@ func (daemon *Daemon) DeactivateContainerServiceBinding(containerName string) er
 	}
 	sb := daemon.getNetworkSandbox(container)
 	if sb == nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("network sandbox does not exist for container %s", containerName)
+		// If the network sandbox is not found, then there is nothing to deactivate
+		logrus.Debugf("Could not find network sandbox for container %s on service binding deactivation request", containerName)
+		return nil
 	}
 	return sb.DisableService()
 }