diff --git a/journalbeat/reader/journal.go b/journalbeat/reader/journal.go
index fb5b91c5019..6b3136d65c6 100644
--- a/journalbeat/reader/journal.go
+++ b/journalbeat/reader/journal.go
@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@ func newReader(path string, c Config, done chan struct{}, state checkpoint.Journ
 	instance.AddJournalToMonitor(c.Path, journal)
 
 	return &Reader{
+		r:       r,
 		journal: journal,
 		config:  c,
 		done:    done,