diff --git a/ceilometer/api/app.py b/ceilometer/api/app.py
index 21bb4218e9..e97754a078 100644
--- a/ceilometer/api/app.py
+++ b/ceilometer/api/app.py
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@ import pecan
 from ceilometer.api import hooks
 from ceilometer.api import middleware
 
+from ceilometer import service
+
 LOG = log.getLogger(__name__)
 
 CONF = cfg.CONF
@@ -94,3 +96,8 @@ def load_app():
 
 def app_factory(global_config, **local_conf):
     return setup_app()
+
+
+def build_wsgi_app():
+    service.prepare_service()
+    return load_app()
diff --git a/setup.cfg b/setup.cfg
index 4e072c65f2..b3d08ec110 100644
--- a/setup.cfg
+++ b/setup.cfg
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ ceilometer.event.trait_plugin =
     timedelta = ceilometer.event.trait_plugins:TimedeltaPlugin
 
 wsgi_scripts =
-    ceilometer-api = ceilometer.api.app:load_app
+    ceilometer-api = ceilometer.api.app:build_wsgi_app
 
 console_scripts =
     ceilometer-polling = ceilometer.cmd.polling:main