diff --git a/source/duke3d/src/game.cpp b/source/duke3d/src/game.cpp
index 79810e0ac..d74379cd7 100644
--- a/source/duke3d/src/game.cpp
+++ b/source/duke3d/src/game.cpp
@@ -6180,10 +6180,6 @@ int app_main(int argc, char const * const * argv)
 #endif
 #endif
 
-#ifdef EDUKE32_STANDALONE
-    G_DeleteOldSaves();
-#endif
-
     G_ExtPreInit(argc, argv);
 
 #ifdef __APPLE__
@@ -6226,6 +6222,10 @@ int app_main(int argc, char const * const * argv)
     // accesses g_player[0].
     G_MaybeAllocPlayer(0);
 
+#ifdef EDUKE32_STANDALONE
+    G_DeleteOldSaves();
+#endif
+
     G_CheckCommandLine(argc,argv);
 
     // This needs to happen afterwards, as G_CheckCommandLine() is where we set