diff --git a/hbd/server/http.py b/hbd/server/http.py
index f5ca967..f70137b 100644
--- a/hbd/server/http.py
+++ b/hbd/server/http.py
@@ -851,8 +851,7 @@ async def start(
     site = web.TCPSite(runner, host, port)
     await site.start()
 
-    if verbose:
-        print(f"HTTP server started on {host}:{port}")
+    logger.info(f"HTTP server started on {host}:{port}")
 
     try:
         await asyncio.Future()
diff --git a/hbd/server/main.py b/hbd/server/main.py
index 0267bfb..f819d82 100644
--- a/hbd/server/main.py
+++ b/hbd/server/main.py
@@ -130,6 +130,10 @@ async def reload_configuration(config_obj, config_path, components):
 
 
 async def _run_async(config, config_path=None):
+    from .config import ReloadableConfig
+    if not isinstance(config, ReloadableConfig):
+        config = ReloadableConfig(config, config_path)
+
     loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
     shutdown_event = asyncio.Event()
     reload_event = asyncio.Event()
diff --git a/hbd/server/udp.py b/hbd/server/udp.py
index 49dc045..11cd7af 100644
--- a/hbd/server/udp.py
+++ b/hbd/server/udp.py
@@ -233,11 +233,15 @@ def restore_connection_timers(hbdclass, ctx):
 
             if state == hbdclass.Connection.UP and interval > 0:
                 elapsed = now - conn.lastbeat
-                remaining = max(1.0, (interval + grace) - elapsed)
+                # Give hosts one full (interval + grace) of extra time on startup
+                # so hosts that were silent while hbd was down are not immediately
+                # flagged as overdue before they have a chance to check in.
+                startup_grace = interval + grace
+                remaining = max(startup_grace, 2 * startup_grace - elapsed)
                 conn.reset_overdue_timer(remaining, on_overdue)
                 logger.debug(
-                    "Restored UP timer %s/%s: %.0fs remaining (elapsed %.0fs)",
-                    uname, afam, remaining, elapsed,
+                    "Restored UP timer %s/%s: %.0fs remaining (elapsed %.0fs, startup grace %.0fs)",
+                    uname, afam, remaining, elapsed, startup_grace,
                 )
                 restored += 1