diff --git a/x/cosmostest/keeper/auction_state.go b/x/cosmostest/keeper/auction_state.go
index 4647c98..c0e6a7f 100644
--- a/x/cosmostest/keeper/auction_state.go
+++ b/x/cosmostest/keeper/auction_state.go
@@ -69,6 +69,9 @@ func (k Keeper) FinalizeExpiredAuctions(ctx sdk.Context) {
 				}
 			}
 
+			// lease period starts now
+			auction.LeaseStart = uint64(ctx.BlockTime().Unix())
+
 			// end auction
 			k.SetAuction(ctx, auction)
 		}
diff --git a/x/cosmostest/keeper/msg_server_new_auction.go b/x/cosmostest/keeper/msg_server_new_auction.go
index 8c1d4f2..76895df 100644
--- a/x/cosmostest/keeper/msg_server_new_auction.go
+++ b/x/cosmostest/keeper/msg_server_new_auction.go
@@ -28,12 +28,14 @@ func (k msgServer) NewAuction(goCtx context.Context, msg *types.MsgNewAuction) (
 		Description: msg.Description,
 		// best bid -> null
 		// Best:        new(types.Bid),
-		Deadline:   uint64(ctx.BlockHeight()) + auctionconfig.AuctionTime,
-		Denom:      msg.Denom,
-		Owner:      msg.Creator,
-		Ceiling:    msg.Ceiling,
-		LeaseStart: uint64(ctx.BlockTime().Unix()),
-		LeaseEnd:   msg.LeaseEnd,
+		Deadline: uint64(ctx.BlockHeight()) + auctionconfig.AuctionTime,
+		Denom:    msg.Denom,
+		Owner:    msg.Creator,
+		Ceiling:  msg.Ceiling,
+		// lease start -> null
+		// instead, initialize when auction is finalized
+		// LeaseStart: uint64(ctx.BlockTime().Unix()),
+		LeaseEnd: msg.LeaseEnd,
 		// remaining payout -> null
 		// Remaining:  "0",
 	}