diff --git a/cmd/server/server.go b/cmd/server/server.go
index 420f0c500..b6ab3c3b7 100644
--- a/cmd/server/server.go
+++ b/cmd/server/server.go
@@ -111,8 +111,6 @@ func run(ctx context.Context, c *cli.Command) error {
 
 	log.Info().Msgf("starting Woodpecker server with version '%s'", version.String())
 
-	startMetricsCollector(ctx, _store)
-
 	serviceWaitingGroup.Go(func() error {
 		log.Info().Msg("starting cron service ...")
 		if err := cron.Run(ctx, _store); err != nil {
@@ -260,6 +258,8 @@ func run(ctx context.Context, c *cli.Command) error {
 	}
 
 	if metricsServerAddr := c.String("metrics-server-addr"); metricsServerAddr != "" {
+		startMetricsCollector(ctx, _store)
+
 		serviceWaitingGroup.Go(func() error {
 			metricsRouter := gin.New()
 			metricsRouter.GET("/metrics", gin.WrapH(prometheus_http.Handler()))