diff --git a/client/allocrunner/taskrunner/task_runner.go b/client/allocrunner/taskrunner/task_runner.go
index c635ec0c269..12fa88ed6bf 100644
--- a/client/allocrunner/taskrunner/task_runner.go
+++ b/client/allocrunner/taskrunner/task_runner.go
@@ -565,7 +565,6 @@ func (tr *TaskRunner) Run() {
 
 	// start with a stopped timer; actual restart delay computed later
 	timer, stop := helper.NewStoppedTimer()
-	timer.Stop()
 	defer stop()
 
 MAIN: