diff --git a/microdroid/init.rc b/microdroid/init.rc
index 121afaa..8458291 100644
--- a/microdroid/init.rc
+++ b/microdroid/init.rc
@@ -110,6 +110,9 @@
 
     perform_apex_config
 
+    # TODO(b/185991357) start this earlier
+    start microdroid_manager
+
     exec_start derive_sdk
 
     start adbd