diff --git a/apps/ca.c b/apps/ca.c
index 0fd445613d..d115617b22 100644
--- a/apps/ca.c
+++ b/apps/ca.c
@@ -549,10 +549,6 @@ bad:
 
 	ERR_load_crypto_strings();
 
-#ifndef OPENSSL_NO_ENGINE
-	e = setup_engine(bio_err, engine, 0);
-#endif
-
 	/*****************************************************************/
 	tofree=NULL;
 	if (configfile == NULL) configfile = getenv("OPENSSL_CONF");
@@ -597,6 +593,10 @@ bad:
 	if (!load_config(bio_err, conf))
 		goto err;
 
+#ifndef OPENSSL_NO_ENGINE
+	e = setup_engine(bio_err, engine, 0);
+#endif
+
 	/* Lets get the config section we are using */
 	if (section == NULL)
 		{