A glow discharge starter having an hermetically sealed envelope of vitreous material, a seal located at one end thereof and containing an ionizable medium. A pair of electrical conductors extend through the seal and terminate in a spaced relationship to form a pair of electrodes within the envelope. At least one of the electrodes has a bimetallic element secured thereto. The bimetallic element is deformable by heat into engagement with the other of the electrodes. Gettering means contained within the envelope reduces dark effect by improving dark starting and reduces aging time of the glow discharge starter. Preferably, the gettering means is a metal selected from the group consisting of bismuth and lead.