diff --git a/src/relative-time-element.ts b/src/relative-time-element.ts
index 7103a8a..a65d8c9 100644
--- a/src/relative-time-element.ts
+++ b/src/relative-time-element.ts
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ function getUnitFactor(ms: number): number {
 
 const dateObserver = new (class {
   elements: Set<RelativeTimeElement> = new Set()
-  time = 0
+  time = Infinity
 
   observe(element: RelativeTimeElement) {
     if (this.elements.has(element)) return