diff --git a/cloudbot/bot.py b/cloudbot/bot.py
index 21582b6db..809eba1f2 100644
--- a/cloudbot/bot.py
+++ b/cloudbot/bot.py
@@ -218,6 +218,8 @@ def _init_routine(self):
         if self.config_reloading_enabled:
             self.config_reloader.start()
 
+        self.observer.start()
+
         # Connect to servers
         yield from asyncio.gather(*[conn.connect() for conn in self.connections.values()], loop=self.loop)