diff --git a/helix-term/src/main.rs b/helix-term/src/main.rs
index 97e962e0..542d18e6 100644
--- a/helix-term/src/main.rs
+++ b/helix-term/src/main.rs
@@ -76,6 +76,9 @@ FLAGS:
 
     let args = Args::parse_args().context("could not parse arguments")?;
 
+    helix_loader::initialize_config_file(args.config_file.clone());
+    helix_loader::initialize_log_file(args.log_file.clone());
+
     // Help has a higher priority and should be handled separately.
     if args.display_help {
         print!("{}", help);
@@ -109,9 +112,6 @@ FLAGS:
         return Ok(0);
     }
 
-    helix_loader::initialize_config_file(args.config_file.clone());
-    helix_loader::initialize_log_file(args.log_file.clone());
-
     setup_logging(args.verbosity).context("failed to initialize logging")?;
 
     let config = match Config::load_default() {