diff --git a/core/policyengine/policyengine.go b/core/policyengine/policyengine.go
index 0433aa1f..61c3b01b 100644
--- a/core/policyengine/policyengine.go
+++ b/core/policyengine/policyengine.go
@@ -94,6 +94,9 @@ func (s *PolicyEngine) Init(conf map[string]interface{}) (err error) {
 			logger.Error.Printf("Unable to compile local policies from directory %s, %v", s.config.PoliciesPath, err)
 			return
 		}
+
+		// start workers
+		s.pi.StartWorkers()
 	} else {
 		s.policyMonitor, err = monitor.NewPolicyMonitor(s.config, s.createPolicyInterpreter, s.out)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -197,9 +200,6 @@ func (s *PolicyEngine) createPolicyInterpreter() (*engine.PolicyInterpreter[*com
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	// start workers
-	pi.StartWorkers()
-
 	return pi, nil
 }