diff --git a/jupyterhub/app.py b/jupyterhub/app.py
index 8bc5b937..35b9090f 100644
--- a/jupyterhub/app.py
+++ b/jupyterhub/app.py
@@ -3414,7 +3414,6 @@ class JupyterHub(Application):
         metrics_collector = self.metrics_collector = PeriodicMetricsCollector(
             parent=self, db=self.db
         )
-        metrics_collector.start()
 
     async def cleanup(self):
         """Shutdown managed services and various subprocesses. Cleanup runtime files."""
@@ -3643,6 +3642,9 @@ class JupyterHub(Application):
             loop.stop()
             return
 
+        # start collecting metrics
+        self.metrics_collector.start()
+
         # start the proxy
         if self.proxy.should_start:
             try: