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Description: [Paper revised and resubmitted (2022-04)] Meta-analysts often encounter missing covariate values when estimating meta- regression models. In practice, ad hoc approaches involving data deletion have been widely used. The current study investigates the performance of different methods for handling missing covariates in meta-regression, including complete-case analysis (CCA), shifting-case analysis (SCA), multiple imputation (MI), and full information maximum likelihood (FIML), assuming missing at random missingness mechanism. According to the simulation results, we advocate the use of MI and FIML than CCA and SCA approaches for handling missing covariates when estimating meta- regression in practice. In addition, we cautiously note the challenges and potential advantages of using MI in the meta-analysis context. This includes the preprint, simulation code and supplementary materials corresponding to the study.