diff --git a/start.go b/start.go
index a3015ab8..277daa48 100644
--- a/start.go
+++ b/start.go
@@ -85,12 +85,17 @@ command(s) that get executed on start, edit the args parameter of the spec. See
 	},
 }
 
+func init() {
+	if len(os.Args) > 1 && os.Args[1] == "init" {
+		runtime.GOMAXPROCS(1)
+		runtime.LockOSThread()
+	}
+}
+
 var initCommand = cli.Command{
 	Name:  "init",
 	Usage: `initialize the namespaces and launch the process (do not call it outside of runc)`,
 	Action: func(context *cli.Context) {
-		runtime.GOMAXPROCS(1)
-		runtime.LockOSThread()
 		factory, _ := libcontainer.New("")
 		if err := factory.StartInitialization(); err != nil {
 			// as the error is sent back to the parent there is no need to log