diff --git a/agent/agent.go b/agent/agent.go
index 7ebbb82c8..d9c3a6c03 100644
--- a/agent/agent.go
+++ b/agent/agent.go
@@ -436,7 +436,7 @@ func (a *Agent) runInputs(
 }
 
 // testStartInputs is a variation of startInputs for use in --test and --once
-// mode.  It differs by logging Start errors and returning only plugins
+// mode. It differs by logging Start errors and returning only plugins
 // successfully started.
 func (a *Agent) testStartInputs(
 	dst chan<- telegraf.Metric,
@@ -458,6 +458,7 @@ func (a *Agent) testStartInputs(
 
 		if err := input.Start(acc); err != nil {
 			log.Printf("E! [agent] Starting input %s: %v", input.LogName(), err)
+			continue
 		}
 
 		unit.inputs = append(unit.inputs, input)