diff --git a/pkg/compose/create.go b/pkg/compose/create.go
index 5825a217a..aab2d1157 100644
--- a/pkg/compose/create.go
+++ b/pkg/compose/create.go
@@ -1092,10 +1092,17 @@ func (s *composeService) ensureVolume(ctx context.Context, volume types.VolumeCo
 		if !errdefs.IsNotFound(err) {
 			return err
 		}
+		if volume.External.External {
+			return fmt.Errorf("external volume %q not found", volume.External.Name)
+		}
 		err := s.createVolume(ctx, volume)
 		return err
 	}
 
+	if volume.External.External {
+		return nil
+	}
+
 	// Volume exists with name, but let's double check this is the expected one
 	// (better safe than sorry when it comes to user's data)
 	p, ok := inspected.Labels[api.ProjectLabel]