diff --git a/src/core/ext/filters/max_age/max_age_filter.cc b/src/core/ext/filters/max_age/max_age_filter.cc
index 1fe8288bd0a..431472609eb 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/filters/max_age/max_age_filter.cc
+++ b/src/core/ext/filters/max_age/max_age_filter.cc
@@ -429,8 +429,7 @@ static grpc_error* init_channel_elem(grpc_channel_element* elem,
                                    ? GRPC_MILLIS_INF_FUTURE
                                    : DEFAULT_MAX_CONNECTION_IDLE_MS;
   chand->idle_state = MAX_IDLE_STATE_INIT;
-  gpr_atm_no_barrier_store(&chand->last_enter_idle_time_millis,
-                           GRPC_MILLIS_INF_PAST);
+  gpr_atm_no_barrier_store(&chand->last_enter_idle_time_millis, GPR_ATM_MIN);
   for (size_t i = 0; i < args->channel_args->num_args; ++i) {
     if (0 == strcmp(args->channel_args->args[i].key,
                     GRPC_ARG_MAX_CONNECTION_AGE_MS)) {