diff --git a/public/app/features/panel/metrics_panel_ctrl.ts b/public/app/features/panel/metrics_panel_ctrl.ts
index c1f408e9374..4e610e3ed05 100644
--- a/public/app/features/panel/metrics_panel_ctrl.ts
+++ b/public/app/features/panel/metrics_panel_ctrl.ts
@@ -82,6 +82,7 @@ class MetricsPanelCtrl extends PanelCtrl {
     this.loading = true;
 
     // load datasource service
+    this.setTimeQueryStart();
     this.datasourceSrv.get(this.panel.datasource)
     .then(this.issueQueries.bind(this))
     .then(this.handleQueryResult.bind(this))