diff --git a/src/starter/starter.c b/src/starter/starter.c
index 0aab76d43..a740b260d 100644
--- a/src/starter/starter.c
+++ b/src/starter/starter.c
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@
 #include <grp.h>
 
 #include <freeswan.h>
+#include <library.h>
 
 #include "../pluto/constants.h"
 #include "../pluto/defs.h"
@@ -245,6 +246,9 @@ int main (int argc, char **argv)
 	log_to_stderr = TRUE;
 	base_debugging = DBG_NONE;
 
+	library_init(NULL);
+	atexit(library_deinit);
+
 	/* parse command line */
 	for (i = 1; i < argc; i++)
 	{