diff --git a/glue_jupyter/bqplot/image/state.py b/glue_jupyter/bqplot/image/state.py
index f045f4ed..a8142f25 100644
--- a/glue_jupyter/bqplot/image/state.py
+++ b/glue_jupyter/bqplot/image/state.py
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
         self.add_callback('level_mode', self._update_levels)
         self.add_callback('levels', self._update_labels)
         self.add_callback('attribute_display_unit', self._convert_units_c_limits, echo_old=True)
+        self._convert_units_c_limits(None, None)
 
         self._update_levels()
 
diff --git a/glue_jupyter/bqplot/image/tests/test_visual.py b/glue_jupyter/bqplot/image/tests/test_visual.py
index 3ef57110..56897fb7 100644
--- a/glue_jupyter/bqplot/image/tests/test_visual.py
+++ b/glue_jupyter/bqplot/image/tests/test_visual.py
@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@ def test_contour_units(
 
     assert_allclose(image.state.layers[0].levels, [0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9])
 
+    image.state.layers[0].attribute_display_unit = 'mm'
+    image.state.layers[0].attribute_display_unit = 'km'
     image.state.layers[0].attribute_display_unit = 'm'
 
     assert_allclose(image.state.layers[0].levels, [100, 300, 500, 700, 900])