diff --git a/logstash-core/lib/logstash/runner.rb b/logstash-core/lib/logstash/runner.rb
index 0f45d8eee..f7dbf5cca 100644
--- a/logstash-core/lib/logstash/runner.rb
+++ b/logstash-core/lib/logstash/runner.rb
@@ -190,12 +190,6 @@ class LogStash::Runner < Clamp::StrictCommand
     @settings = LogStash::SETTINGS
     @bootstrap_checks = DEFAULT_BOOTSTRAP_CHECKS.dup
 
-    # Default we check local sources: `-e`, `-f` and the logstash.yml options.
-    @source_loader = LogStash::Config::SourceLoader.new(@settings)
-    @source_loader.add_source(LogStash::Config::Source::Local.new(@settings))
-    @source_loader.add_source(LogStash::Config::Source::Modules.new(@settings))
-    @source_loader.add_source(LogStash::Config::Source::MultiLocal.new(@settings))
-
     super(*args)
   end
 
@@ -256,6 +250,12 @@ class LogStash::Runner < Clamp::StrictCommand
       return 0
     end
 
+    # Default we check local sources: `-e`, `-f` and the logstash.yml options.
+    @source_loader = LogStash::Config::SourceLoader.new(@settings)
+    @source_loader.add_source(LogStash::Config::Source::Local.new(@settings))
+    @source_loader.add_source(LogStash::Config::Source::Modules.new(@settings))
+    @source_loader.add_source(LogStash::Config::Source::MultiLocal.new(@settings))
+
     # Add local modules to the registry before everything else
     LogStash::Modules::Util.register_local_modules(LogStash::Environment::LOGSTASH_HOME)