diff --git a/awx/main/management/commands/run_wsrelay.py b/awx/main/management/commands/run_wsrelay.py
index 2bf7e8b898..6538a8ac56 100644
--- a/awx/main/management/commands/run_wsrelay.py
+++ b/awx/main/management/commands/run_wsrelay.py
@@ -92,8 +92,6 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
         return host_stats
 
     def handle(self, *arg, **options):
-        WebsocketsMetricsServer().start()
-
         # it's necessary to delay this import in case
         # database migrations are still running
         from awx.main.models.ha import Instance
@@ -166,6 +164,8 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
 
             return
 
+        WebsocketsMetricsServer().start()
+
         try:
             websocket_relay_manager = WebSocketRelayManager()
             asyncio.run(websocket_relay_manager.run())