diff --git a/vowpalwabbit/active.cc b/vowpalwabbit/active.cc
index 0d4fdfa256f..b13e4ec8fab 100644
--- a/vowpalwabbit/active.cc
+++ b/vowpalwabbit/active.cc
@@ -165,6 +165,7 @@ base_learner* active_setup(VW::setup_base_i& stack_builder)
   }
   else
   {
+    all.active = true;
     learn_func = predict_or_learn_active<true>;
     pred_func = predict_or_learn_active<false>;
     learn_returns_prediction = base->learn_returns_prediction;