diff --git a/pre_commit/languages/docker.py b/pre_commit/languages/docker.py
index 4091492c..11e1d2a9 100644
--- a/pre_commit/languages/docker.py
+++ b/pre_commit/languages/docker.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import functools
 import hashlib
 import os
 from typing import Sequence
@@ -26,6 +27,7 @@ def docker_tag(prefix: Prefix) -> str:  # pragma: win32 no cover
     return f'pre-commit-{md5sum}'
 
 
+@functools.lru_cache(maxsize=1)
 def docker_is_running() -> bool:  # pragma: win32 no cover
     try:
         cmd_output_b('docker', 'ps')
diff --git a/tests/languages/docker_test.py b/tests/languages/docker_test.py
index b65b2235..48995975 100644
--- a/tests/languages/docker_test.py
+++ b/tests/languages/docker_test.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ from pre_commit.util import CalledProcessError
 
 
 def test_docker_is_running_process_error():
+    docker.docker_is_running.cache_clear()
     with mock.patch(
         'pre_commit.languages.docker.cmd_output_b',
         side_effect=CalledProcessError(1, (), 0, b'', None),