diff --git a/src/core/gcal-time-zone-monitor.c b/src/core/gcal-time-zone-monitor.c
index 745a71d6..d82bf8f0 100644
--- a/src/core/gcal-time-zone-monitor.c
+++ b/src/core/gcal-time-zone-monitor.c
@@ -139,6 +139,8 @@ gcal_time_zone_monitor_init (GcalTimeZoneMonitor *self)
 
   GCAL_ENTRY;
 
+  self->timezone = g_time_zone_new_local ();
+
   connection = g_bus_get_sync (G_BUS_TYPE_SYSTEM, NULL, NULL);
 
   if (!connection)