diff --git a/src/or/main.c b/src/or/main.c
index 404d741c38..76af910b3e 100644
--- a/src/or/main.c
+++ b/src/or/main.c
@@ -3646,6 +3646,8 @@ tor_main(int argc, char *argv[])
 #endif
   }
 
+  monotime_init();
+
   switch (get_options()->command) {
   case CMD_RUN_TOR:
 #ifdef NT_SERVICE