diff --git a/bootloaders/riotboot_dfu/main.c b/bootloaders/riotboot_dfu/main.c
index 26dd2bf64f..e8be5935de 100644
--- a/bootloaders/riotboot_dfu/main.c
+++ b/bootloaders/riotboot_dfu/main.c
@@ -64,6 +64,9 @@ void kernel_init(void)
         }
     }
 
+    /* Init ztimer before starting DFU mode */
+    ztimer_init();
+
     /* Flash the unused slot if magic word is set */
     riotboot_usb_dfu_init(0);
 
@@ -71,9 +74,6 @@ void kernel_init(void)
         riotboot_slot_jump(slot);
     }
 
-    /* Init ztimer before starting DFU mode */
-    ztimer_init();
-
     /* Nothing to boot, stay in DFU mode to flash a slot */
     riotboot_usb_dfu_init(1);
 }