diff --git a/servers/slapd/daemon.c b/servers/slapd/daemon.c
index ae5a754f7d..73e7479155 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/daemon.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/daemon.c
@@ -1115,7 +1115,6 @@ slapd_daemon_task(
 {
 	int l;
 	time_t	last_idle_check = 0;
-	time( &starttime );
 
 	if ( global_idletimeout > 0 ) {
 		last_idle_check = slap_get_time();
diff --git a/servers/slapd/main.c b/servers/slapd/main.c
index 4028953a7d..ea41382b9a 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/main.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/main.c
@@ -524,6 +524,12 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
 	mal_leaktrace(1);
 #endif
 
+	/*
+	 * FIXME: moved here from slapd_daemon_task()
+	 * because back-monitor db_open() needs it
+	 */
+	time( &starttime );
+
 	if ( slap_startup( NULL )  != 0 ) {
 		rc = 1;
 		SERVICE_EXIT( ERROR_SERVICE_SPECIFIC_ERROR, 21 );