diff --git a/sway/main.c b/sway/main.c
index 37681f2d5..e85f72699 100644
--- a/sway/main.c
+++ b/sway/main.c
@@ -188,13 +188,13 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
 	sway_log(L_INFO, "Starting sway version %s (%s, branch \"%s\")\n", SWAY_GIT_VERSION, SWAY_VERSION_DATE, SWAY_GIT_BRANCH);
 #endif
 
+	init_layout();
+
 	if (validate) {
 		bool valid = load_config(config_path);
 		return valid ? 0 : 1;
 	}
 
-	init_layout();
-
 	if (!load_config(config_path)) {
 		sway_log(L_ERROR, "Error(s) loading config!");
 	}