diff --git a/scapy/main.py b/scapy/main.py
index 60d68b8a1..111357853 100644
--- a/scapy/main.py
+++ b/scapy/main.py
@@ -414,13 +414,13 @@ def interact(mydict=None,argv=None,mybanner=None,loglevel=20):
         log_loading.error(msg)
         sys.exit(1)
 
+    init_session(session_name, mydict)
+
     if STARTUP_FILE:
         _read_config_file(STARTUP_FILE, interactive=True)
     if PRESTART_FILE:
         _read_config_file(PRESTART_FILE, interactive=True)
 
-    init_session(session_name, mydict)
-
     if conf.fancy_prompt:
 
         the_logo = [