diff --git a/tasks/create-cert-standalone.yml b/tasks/create-cert-standalone.yml
index 6f25b8a..e8d3094 100644
--- a/tasks/create-cert-standalone.yml
+++ b/tasks/create-cert-standalone.yml
@@ -4,20 +4,24 @@
     path: /etc/letsencrypt/live/{{ cert_item.domains | first | replace('*.', '') }}/cert.pem
   register: letsencrypt_cert
 
-- name: Stop services to allow certbot to generate a cert.
-  service:
-    name: "{{ item }}"
-    state: stopped
-  when: not letsencrypt_cert.stat.exists
-  with_items: "{{ certbot_create_standalone_stop_services }}"
+- name: Create pre hook to stop services
+  template:
+    src: stop_services.j2
+    dest: /etc/letsencrypt/renewal-hooks/pre/stop_services
+    owner: root
+    group: root
+    mode: 0750
+  when: certbot_create_standalone_stop_services is defined and certbot_create_standalone_stop_services
+
+- name: create post hook to start services
+  template:
+    src: start_services.j2
+    dest: /etc/letsencrypt/renewal-hooks/post/start_services
+    owner: root
+    group: root
+    mode: 0750
+  when: certbot_create_standalone_stop_services is defined and certbot_create_standalone_stop_services
 
 - name: Generate new certificate if one doesn't exist.
   command: "{{ certbot_create_command }}"
   when: not letsencrypt_cert.stat.exists
-
-- name: Start services after cert has been generated.
-  service:
-    name: "{{ item }}"
-    state: started
-  when: not letsencrypt_cert.stat.exists
-  with_items: "{{ certbot_create_standalone_stop_services }}"
diff --git a/templates/start_services.j2 b/templates/start_services.j2
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2a52a06
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/start_services.j2
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+{% for item in certbot_create_standalone_stop_services %}
+echo "starting service {{ item }}"
+{% if ansible_service_mgr == 'systemd' %}
+systemctl start {{ item }}
+{% elif ansible_service_mgr == 'upstart' %}
+initctl start {{ item }}
+{% elif ansible_service_mgr == 'openrc' %}
+rc-service {{ item }} start
+{% else %}
+service {{ item }} start
+{% endif %}
+{% endfor %}
diff --git a/templates/stop_services.j2 b/templates/stop_services.j2
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..306ed9e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/stop_services.j2
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+{% for item in certbot_create_standalone_stop_services %}
+echo "stopping service {{ item }}"
+{% if ansible_service_mgr == 'systemd' %}
+systemctl stop {{ item }}
+{% elif ansible_service_mgr == 'upstart' %}
+initctl stop {{ item }}
+{% elif ansible_service_mgr == 'openrc' %}
+rc-service {{ item }} stop
+{% else %}
+service {{ item }} stop
+{% endif %}
+{% endfor %}