diff --git a/framework/src/main/java/org/apache/felix/framework/Felix.java b/framework/src/main/java/org/apache/felix/framework/Felix.java
index 14ff7e5..1cd0f28 100644
--- a/framework/src/main/java/org/apache/felix/framework/Felix.java
+++ b/framework/src/main/java/org/apache/felix/framework/Felix.java
@@ -1221,15 +1221,16 @@
         {
             if (startLevel >= 1)
             {
-                impl.setStartLevel(startLevel);
+                // NOTE: The start level was persistently recorded inside
+                // the start level impl because the spec requires it to be
+                // done synchronously.
 
                 try
                 {
                     // Start the bundle if necessary.
                     if (((impl.getPersistentState() == Bundle.ACTIVE)
                         || (impl.getPersistentState() == Bundle.STARTING))
-                        && (impl.getStartLevel(getInitialBundleStartLevel())
-                            <= getActiveStartLevel()))
+                        && (startLevel <= getActiveStartLevel()))
                     {
 // TODO: LAZY - Not sure if this is the best way...
                         int options = Bundle.START_TRANSIENT;
@@ -1241,8 +1242,7 @@
                     // Stop the bundle if necessary.
                     else if (((impl.getState() == Bundle.ACTIVE)
                         || (impl.getState() == Bundle.STARTING))
-                        && (impl.getStartLevel(getInitialBundleStartLevel())
-                            > getActiveStartLevel()))
+                        && (startLevel > getActiveStartLevel()))
                     {
                         stopBundle(impl, false);
                     }
diff --git a/framework/src/main/java/org/apache/felix/framework/StartLevelImpl.java b/framework/src/main/java/org/apache/felix/framework/StartLevelImpl.java
index 4d2d194..050f67e 100644
--- a/framework/src/main/java/org/apache/felix/framework/StartLevelImpl.java
+++ b/framework/src/main/java/org/apache/felix/framework/StartLevelImpl.java
@@ -172,6 +172,9 @@
         }
         synchronized (m_requestList)
         {
+            // Synchronously persists the start level.
+            ((BundleImpl) bundle).setStartLevel(startlevel);
+            // Asynchronously process the start level change.
             m_requestList.add(new Object[] { bundle, new Integer(startlevel) });
             m_requestList.notifyAll();
         }