diff --git a/kmk/hid.py b/kmk/hid.py
index ae2c6fccb..a7570e42f 100644
--- a/kmk/hid.py
+++ b/kmk/hid.py
@@ -75,6 +75,8 @@ def __init__(self, **kwargs):
         self.test_nkro()
         self.test_mouse()
 
+        self.start_watchdog()
+
     def find_devices(self):
         self.devices = {}
 
diff --git a/kmk/kmk_keyboard.py b/kmk/kmk_keyboard.py
index f76529dd5..2817ffc28 100644
--- a/kmk/kmk_keyboard.py
+++ b/kmk/kmk_keyboard.py
@@ -308,7 +308,6 @@ def _init_hid(self) -> None:
         else:
             self._hid_helper = AbstractHID
         self._hid_helper = self._hid_helper(**self._go_args)
-        self._hid_helper.start_watchdog()
         self._hid_send_enabled = True
 
         if debug.enabled: