diff --git a/replica/database.hh b/replica/database.hh
index 997c771416..381a2974d7 100644
--- a/replica/database.hh
+++ b/replica/database.hh
@@ -502,7 +502,7 @@ private:
 
     // This field cashes the last truncation time for the table.
     // The master resides in system.truncated table
-    db_clock::time_point _truncated_at = db_clock::time_point::min();
+    std::optional<db_clock::time_point> _truncated_at;
 
     bool _is_bootstrap_or_replace = false;
     sstables::shared_sstable make_sstable(sstables::sstable_state state);
@@ -520,9 +520,7 @@ public:
     void set_truncation_time(db_clock::time_point truncated_at) noexcept {
         _truncated_at = truncated_at;
     }
-    db_clock::time_point get_truncation_time() const noexcept {
-        return _truncated_at;
-    }
+    db_clock::time_point get_truncation_time() const;
 
     void notify_bootstrap_or_replace_start();
 
diff --git a/replica/table.cc b/replica/table.cc
index d864734324..9b456e96ff 100644
--- a/replica/table.cc
+++ b/replica/table.cc
@@ -439,6 +439,14 @@ sstables::shared_sstable table::make_sstable() {
     return make_sstable(sstables::sstable_state::normal);
 }
 
+db_clock::time_point table::get_truncation_time() const {
+    if (!_truncated_at) [[unlikely]] {
+        on_internal_error(dblog, ::format("truncation time is not set, table {}.{}",
+            _schema->ks_name(), _schema->cf_name()));
+    }
+    return *_truncated_at;
+}
+
 void table::notify_bootstrap_or_replace_start() {
     _is_bootstrap_or_replace = true;
 }