diff --git a/monkey/infection_monkey/monkey.py b/monkey/infection_monkey/monkey.py
index 28e59c616..bd9062eeb 100644
--- a/monkey/infection_monkey/monkey.py
+++ b/monkey/infection_monkey/monkey.py
@@ -474,6 +474,7 @@ class InfectionMonkey(object):
     def run_ransomware():
         telemetry_messenger = LegacyTelemetryMessengerAdapter()
         batching_telemetry_messenger = BatchingTelemetryMessenger(telemetry_messenger)
+        batching_telemetry_messenger.start()
         try:
             RansomewarePayload(
                 WormConfiguration.ransomware, batching_telemetry_messenger
diff --git a/monkey/infection_monkey/telemetry/messengers/batching_telemetry_messenger.py b/monkey/infection_monkey/telemetry/messengers/batching_telemetry_messenger.py
index 6596e89e7..f5f21a760 100644
--- a/monkey/infection_monkey/telemetry/messengers/batching_telemetry_messenger.py
+++ b/monkey/infection_monkey/telemetry/messengers/batching_telemetry_messenger.py
@@ -28,14 +28,16 @@ class BatchingTelemetryMessenger(ITelemetryMessenger):
         self._last_sent_time = time.time()
         self._telemetry_batches: Dict[str, IBatchableTelem] = {}
 
+    def __del__(self):
+        self.stop()
+
+    def start(self):
+        self._should_run_batch_thread = True
         self._manage_telemetry_batches_thread = threading.Thread(
             target=self._manage_telemetry_batches
         )
         self._manage_telemetry_batches_thread.start()
 
-    def __del__(self):
-        self.stop()
-
     def stop(self):
         self._should_run_batch_thread = False
         self._manage_telemetry_batches_thread.join()
diff --git a/monkey/tests/unit_tests/infection_monkey/telemetry/messengers/test_batching_telemetry_messenger.py b/monkey/tests/unit_tests/infection_monkey/telemetry/messengers/test_batching_telemetry_messenger.py
index 58ee96d89..65eebc582 100644
--- a/monkey/tests/unit_tests/infection_monkey/telemetry/messengers/test_batching_telemetry_messenger.py
+++ b/monkey/tests/unit_tests/infection_monkey/telemetry/messengers/test_batching_telemetry_messenger.py
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ class BatchableTelemStub(BatchableTelemMixin, BaseTelem, IBatchableTelem):
 def batching_telemetry_messenger(monkeypatch, telemetry_messenger_spy):
     patch_time(monkeypatch, 0)
     btm = BatchingTelemetryMessenger(telemetry_messenger_spy, period=0.001)
+    btm.start()
     yield btm
 
     btm.stop()