diff --git a/docker-compose/Makefile b/docker-compose/Makefile
index 64f51f70a39e443c998c0fb3ffbd3f08de0f9e48..6b989f8a12a6ad02c780082e50e55ef1e279b864 100644
--- a/docker-compose/Makefile
+++ b/docker-compose/Makefile
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ else
 endif
 
 #
-# When running in network=host mode, point devices at a port on the host
+# When uunning in network=host mode, point devices at a port on the host
 # machine rather than at the container.
 #
 ifeq ($(NETWORK_MODE),host)
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ up: minimal  ## start the base TANGO system and prepare requested services
 	$(DOCKER_COMPOSE_ARGS) docker-compose $(COMPOSE_FILE_ARGS) up --no-start --no-recreate $(SERVICE)
 
 run: minimal  ## run a service using arguments and delete it afterwards
-	$(DOCKER_COMPOSE_ARGS) docker-compose $(COMPOSE_FILE_ARGS) run --rm $(SERVICE) $(SERVICE_ARGS)
+	$(DOCKER_COMPOSE_ARGS) docker-compose $(COMPOSE_FILE_ARGS) run --no-deps --rm $(SERVICE) $(SERVICE_ARGS)
 
 down:  ## stop all services and tear down the system
 	$(DOCKER_COMPOSE_ARGS) docker-compose $(COMPOSE_FILE_ARGS) down
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ ifneq ($(NETWORK_MODE),host)
 	docker network inspect $(NETWORK_MODE) &> /dev/null || ([ $$? -ne 0 ] && docker network create $(NETWORK_MODE))
 	docker network inspect 9000-$(NETWORK_MODE) &> /dev/null || ([ $$? -ne 0 ] && docker network create 9000-$(NETWORK_MODE) -o com.docker.network.driver.mtu=9000)
 endif
-	$(DOCKER_COMPOSE_ARGS) docker-compose -f tango.yml -f networks.yml up -d
+	$(DOCKER_COMPOSE_ARGS) docker-compose -f tango.yml -f networks.yml up --no-recreate -d
 
 bootstrap: pull build # first start, initialise from scratch
 	$(MAKE) start elk-configure-host # configure host kernel for elk container
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ restart: ## restart a service (usage: make restart <servicename>)
 	make start $(SERVICE)
 
 attach:  ## attach a service to an existing Tango network
-	$(DOCKER_COMPOSE_ARGS) docker-compose $(ATTACH_COMPOSE_FILE_ARGS) up -d $(SERVICE)
+	$(DOCKER_COMPOSE_ARGS) docker-compose $(ATTACH_COMPOSE_FILE_ARGS) up --no-recreate -d $(SERVICE)
 
 status:  ## show the container status
 	$(DOCKER_COMPOSE_ARGS) docker-compose $(COMPOSE_FILE_ARGS) ps