diff --git a/collection-scripts/gather b/collection-scripts/gather
index bf1f9dc..97313a7 100755
--- a/collection-scripts/gather
+++ b/collection-scripts/gather
@@ -134,11 +134,6 @@ mkdir -p ${BASE_COLLECTION_PATH}
 # Parse the ENV for collection filters
 parse_since_time
 
-# timestamp for starting of the script
-START_TIME=$(date +%r)
-start=$(date +%s)
-dbglog "collection started at: ${START_TIME}"
-
 # Print and export must-gather pod details
 export_pod_image_details
 
@@ -149,6 +144,11 @@ fi
 # Call pre-install.sh, see commit msg
 pre-install.sh ${BASE_COLLECTION_PATH}
 
+# timestamp for starting of the script
+START_TIME=$(date +%r)
+start=$(date +%s)
+dbglog "collection started at: ${START_TIME}"
+
 # Process the options
 if [ "$odf" == true ]; then
     echo "Collect ODF logs..."