diff --git a/dd-trace-core/src/main/java/datadog/trace/core/CoreTracer.java b/dd-trace-core/src/main/java/datadog/trace/core/CoreTracer.java
index 28db0b6c99e..f434fe820b9 100644
--- a/dd-trace-core/src/main/java/datadog/trace/core/CoreTracer.java
+++ b/dd-trace-core/src/main/java/datadog/trace/core/CoreTracer.java
@@ -656,6 +656,9 @@ private CoreTracer(
     assert taggedHeaders != null;
     assert baggageMapping != null;
 
+    // preload this enum to avoid triggering classloading on the hot path
+    TraceCollector.PublishState.values();
+
     if (reportInTracerFlare) {
       TracerFlare.addReporter(this);
     }