diff --git a/public/app/plugins/panel/heatmap-new/utils.ts b/public/app/plugins/panel/heatmap-new/utils.ts
index caca5fc1dc0..82c3084cb3e 100644
--- a/public/app/plugins/panel/heatmap-new/utils.ts
+++ b/public/app/plugins/panel/heatmap-new/utils.ts
@@ -126,6 +126,7 @@ export function prepConfig(opts: PrepConfigOpts) {
   builder.addAxis({
     scaleKey: 'x',
     placement: AxisPlacement.Bottom,
+    isTime: true,
     theme: theme,
   });