diff --git a/src/haproxy.c b/src/haproxy.c
index 03dab81..13085d9 100644
--- a/src/haproxy.c
+++ b/src/haproxy.c
@@ -1959,7 +1959,19 @@
 	/* defaults sections are not needed anymore */
 	proxy_destroy_all_defaults();
 
+	/* update the ready date that will be used to count the startup time
+	 * during config checks (e.g. to schedule certain tasks if needed)
+	 */
+	tv_update_date(0, 1);
+	ready_date = date;
+
+	/* Note: global.nbthread will be initialized as part of this call */
 	err_code |= check_config_validity();
+
+	/* update the ready date to also account for the check time */
+	tv_update_date(0, 1);
+	ready_date = date;
+
 	for (px = proxies_list; px; px = px->next) {
 		struct server *srv;
 		struct post_proxy_check_fct *ppcf;
@@ -3166,6 +3178,10 @@
 				 global.maxsock);
 	}
 
+	/* update the ready date a last time to also account for final setup time */
+	tv_update_date(0, 1);
+	ready_date = date;
+
 	if (global.mode & (MODE_DAEMON | MODE_MWORKER | MODE_MWORKER_WAIT)) {
 		struct proxy *px;
 		struct peers *curpeers;