A refillable injection device (1) having a dose setting mechanism with a dose setting member (4) and a dose rod (11). The dose setting member and the dose rod engage during normal operation of the injection device, and they do not engage during change of cartridge. The dose setting member and the dose rod need to be moved into engagement when a new cartridge is inserted in the injection device. Thereby there is a risk that stress is build-up in the piston rod. In order to prevent this, the cartridge holder is operatively connected to the dose rod in such a manner that when a cartridge is being inserted in the cartridge holder, the dose rod is caused to move along with the piston rod in an axial direction, at least while the dose setting member and the dose rod are moved into engagement.