diff --git a/zerver/lib/openapi.py b/zerver/lib/openapi.py
index fc23d6cb68..1a44d3fbca 100644
--- a/zerver/lib/openapi.py
+++ b/zerver/lib/openapi.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ EXCLUDE_PROPERTIES = {
 class OpenAPISpec():
     def __init__(self, path: str) -> None:
         self.path = path
-        self.reload()
+        self.last_update = None  # type: Optional[float]
 
     def reload(self) -> None:
         self.last_update = os.path.getmtime(self.path)
diff --git a/zerver/tests/test_openapi.py b/zerver/tests/test_openapi.py
index a126caa569..1ecd51ec4a 100644
--- a/zerver/tests/test_openapi.py
+++ b/zerver/tests/test_openapi.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 
+import mock
 from typing import Dict, Any
 
 import zerver.lib.openapi as openapi
@@ -132,3 +133,8 @@ class OpenAPIToolsTest(ZulipTestCase):
         # Check that the file has been reloaded by verifying that the last
         # update date isn't zero anymore
         self.assertNotEqual(openapi_spec.last_update, 0)
+
+        # Now verify calling it again doesn't call reload
+        with mock.patch('zerver.lib.openapi.openapi_spec.reload') as mock_reload:
+            get_openapi_fixture(TEST_ENDPOINT, TEST_METHOD)
+            self.assertFalse(mock_reload.called)