diff --git a/src/base/neu_plugin_common.c b/src/base/neu_plugin_common.c
index 0697df0f..729cce52 100644
--- a/src/base/neu_plugin_common.c
+++ b/src/base/neu_plugin_common.c
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 #include <assert.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include <string.h>
+#include <time.h>
 
 #include "errcodes.h"
 #include "plugin.h"
@@ -31,6 +32,7 @@ void neu_plugin_common_init(neu_plugin_common_t *common)
     common->magic      = NEU_PLUGIN_MAGIC_NUMBER;
     common->link_state = NEU_NODE_LINK_STATE_DISCONNECTED;
     common->tag_size   = 0;
+    common->timestamp  = time(NULL) * 1000; // don't need much precision at init
 }
 
 bool neu_plugin_common_check(neu_plugin_t *plugin)