diff --git a/cmd/mattermost/commands/init.go b/cmd/mattermost/commands/init.go
index 8d8f12c538..e76552c404 100644
--- a/cmd/mattermost/commands/init.go
+++ b/cmd/mattermost/commands/init.go
@@ -17,13 +17,13 @@ func InitDBCommandContextCobra(command *cobra.Command) (*app.App, error) {
 	}
 
 	a, err := InitDBCommandContext(config)
-	a.InitPlugins(*a.Config().PluginSettings.Directory, *a.Config().PluginSettings.ClientDirectory)
 
 	if err != nil {
 		// Returning an error just prints the usage message, so actually panic
 		panic(err)
 	}
 
+	a.InitPlugins(*a.Config().PluginSettings.Directory, *a.Config().PluginSettings.ClientDirectory)
 	a.DoAdvancedPermissionsMigration()
 	a.DoEmojisPermissionsMigration()