diff --git a/src/finit.c b/src/finit.c
index 46492e4e..13c04cda 100644
--- a/src/finit.c
+++ b/src/finit.c
@@ -378,6 +378,10 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	 */
 	emergency_shell();
 
+	/* Load plugins early, the first hook is in banner(), so we
+	 * need plugins loaded before calling it. */
+	plugin_init(&loop);
+
 	/*
 	 * Hello world.
 	 */
@@ -388,12 +392,6 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	 */
 	sig_init();
 
-	/*
-	 * Load plugins early, finit.conf may contain references to
-	 * features implemented by plugins.
-	 */
-	plugin_init(&loop);
-
 	/*
 	 * Initialize default control groups, if available
 	 */