diff --git a/changelog.d/3293.misc.rst b/changelog.d/3293.misc.rst
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c51b07a7b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/3293.misc.rst
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Properly set owner from config during bot's pre-flight.
diff --git a/redbot/core/bot.py b/redbot/core/bot.py
index 4ea8a9055..4264bd940 100644
--- a/redbot/core/bot.py
+++ b/redbot/core/bot.py
@@ -404,6 +404,9 @@ class RedBase(commands.GroupMixin, commands.bot.BotBase, RPCMixin):  # pylint: d
         init_global_checks(self)
         init_events(self, cli_flags)
 
+        if self.owner_id is None:
+            self.owner_id = await self._config.owner()
+
         i18n_locale = await self._config.locale()
         i18n.set_locale(i18n_locale)