diff --git a/beacon_node/beacon_chain/src/beacon_chain.rs b/beacon_node/beacon_chain/src/beacon_chain.rs
index 918d0bd29b7..a45caba79c4 100644
--- a/beacon_node/beacon_chain/src/beacon_chain.rs
+++ b/beacon_node/beacon_chain/src/beacon_chain.rs
@@ -3978,6 +3978,9 @@ impl<T: BeaconChainTypes> BeaconChain<T> {
         validator_graffiti: Option<Graffiti>,
         verification: ProduceBlockVerification,
     ) -> Result<BeaconBlockAndState<T::EthSpec, Payload>, BlockProductionError> {
+        metrics::inc_counter(&metrics::BLOCK_PRODUCTION_REQUESTS);
+        let _complete_timer = metrics::start_timer(&metrics::BLOCK_PRODUCTION_TIMES);
+
         // Part 1/2 (blocking)
         //
         // Load the parent state from disk.
@@ -4012,9 +4015,6 @@ impl<T: BeaconChainTypes> BeaconChain<T> {
         self: &Arc<Self>,
         slot: Slot,
     ) -> Result<(BeaconState<T::EthSpec>, Option<Hash256>), BlockProductionError> {
-        metrics::inc_counter(&metrics::BLOCK_PRODUCTION_REQUESTS);
-        let _complete_timer = metrics::start_timer(&metrics::BLOCK_PRODUCTION_TIMES);
-
         let fork_choice_timer = metrics::start_timer(&metrics::BLOCK_PRODUCTION_FORK_CHOICE_TIMES);
         self.wait_for_fork_choice_before_block_production(slot)?;
         drop(fork_choice_timer);