diff --git a/grain/_src/python/checkpoint/handler.py b/grain/_src/python/checkpoint/handler.py
index d6bebb16b..8eeb2daed 100644
--- a/grain/_src/python/checkpoint/handler.py
+++ b/grain/_src/python/checkpoint/handler.py
@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@ def restore(
     else:
       state = state.encode()
     item.set_state(state)
+    item.start_prefetch()
     return item
 
   # Required by interface but not supported by PyGrain checkpoints.