diff --git a/agent/agent.go b/agent/agent.go
index 83de1b3579..391fbc21b0 100644
--- a/agent/agent.go
+++ b/agent/agent.go
@@ -1790,7 +1790,11 @@ func (a *Agent) AddCheck(check *structs.HealthCheck, chkType *structs.CheckType,
 	}
 
 	// Add to the local state for anti-entropy
-	a.state.AddCheck(check, token)
+	err := a.state.AddCheck(check, token)
+	if err != nil {
+		a.cancelCheckMonitors(check.CheckID)
+		return err
+	}
 
 	// Persist the check
 	if persist && !a.config.DevMode {
@@ -1814,6 +1818,21 @@ func (a *Agent) RemoveCheck(checkID types.CheckID, persist bool) error {
 	a.checkLock.Lock()
 	defer a.checkLock.Unlock()
 
+	a.cancelCheckMonitors(checkID)
+
+	if persist {
+		if err := a.purgeCheck(checkID); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if err := a.purgeCheckState(checkID); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	a.logger.Printf("[DEBUG] agent: removed check %q", checkID)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (a *Agent) cancelCheckMonitors(checkID types.CheckID) {
 	// Stop any monitors
 	delete(a.checkReapAfter, checkID)
 	if check, ok := a.checkMonitors[checkID]; ok {
@@ -1836,16 +1855,6 @@ func (a *Agent) RemoveCheck(checkID types.CheckID, persist bool) error {
 		check.Stop()
 		delete(a.checkDockers, checkID)
 	}
-	if persist {
-		if err := a.purgeCheck(checkID); err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-		if err := a.purgeCheckState(checkID); err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-	}
-	a.logger.Printf("[DEBUG] agent: removed check %q", checkID)
-	return nil
 }
 
 // updateTTLCheck is used to update the status of a TTL check via the Agent API.
diff --git a/agent/local.go b/agent/local.go
index d71ca22116..decf7acddf 100644
--- a/agent/local.go
+++ b/agent/local.go
@@ -247,18 +247,25 @@ func (l *localState) checkToken(checkID types.CheckID) string {
 // AddCheck is used to add a health check to the local state.
 // This entry is persistent and the agent will make a best effort to
 // ensure it is registered
-func (l *localState) AddCheck(check *structs.HealthCheck, token string) {
+func (l *localState) AddCheck(check *structs.HealthCheck, token string) error {
 	// Set the node name
 	check.Node = l.config.NodeName
 
 	l.Lock()
 	defer l.Unlock()
 
+	// if there is a serviceID associated with the check, make sure it exists before adding it
+	// NOTE - This logic may be moved to be handled within the Agent's Addcheck method after a refactor
+	if check.ServiceID != "" && l.services[check.ServiceID] == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("ServiceID %q does not exist", check.ServiceID)
+	}
+
 	l.checks[check.CheckID] = check
 	l.checkStatus[check.CheckID] = syncStatus{}
 	l.checkTokens[check.CheckID] = token
 	delete(l.checkCriticalTime, check.CheckID)
 	l.changeMade()
+	return nil
 }
 
 // RemoveCheck is used to remove a health check from the local state.
diff --git a/agent/local_test.go b/agent/local_test.go
index de66480dfd..e1ae506c02 100644
--- a/agent/local_test.go
+++ b/agent/local_test.go
@@ -1475,6 +1475,9 @@ func TestAgent_checkCriticalTime(t *testing.T) {
 	cfg := TestConfig()
 	l := NewLocalState(cfg, nil)
 
+	svc := &structs.NodeService{ID: "redis", Service: "redis", Port: 8000}
+	l.AddService(svc, "")
+
 	// Add a passing check and make sure it's not critical.
 	checkID := types.CheckID("redis:1")
 	chk := &structs.HealthCheck{