diff --git a/packages/lib-classifier/src/store/ClassificationStore.js b/packages/lib-classifier/src/store/ClassificationStore.js
index bcf0ceeee83..33f53fee3f5 100644
--- a/packages/lib-classifier/src/store/ClassificationStore.js
+++ b/packages/lib-classifier/src/store/ClassificationStore.js
@@ -88,6 +88,10 @@ const ClassificationStore = types
 
       if (validClassificationReference) {
         const classification = self.active
+        if (classification?.annotations.size === 0) {
+          // update startedAt if we're starting a new classification
+          classification.metadata.startedAt = (new Date()).toISOString()
+        }
         if (classification) {
           return classification.addAnnotation(task, annotationValue)
         }
diff --git a/packages/lib-classifier/src/store/ClassificationStore.spec.js b/packages/lib-classifier/src/store/ClassificationStore.spec.js
index fdd77dea430..f9a8bd2c0cf 100644
--- a/packages/lib-classifier/src/store/ClassificationStore.spec.js
+++ b/packages/lib-classifier/src/store/ClassificationStore.spec.js
@@ -128,7 +128,6 @@ describe('Model > ClassificationStore', function () {
 
         classifications = rootStore.classifications
         classifications.setOnComplete(snapshot => {
-          console.log(snapshot)
           submittedClassification = snapshot
         })
         const taskSnapshot = Object.assign({}, singleChoiceTaskSnapshot, { taskKey: singleChoiceAnnotationSnapshot.task })