diff --git a/dlls/ntdll/loader.c b/dlls/ntdll/loader.c
index 5d47b19d140..84dd18fd636 100644
--- a/dlls/ntdll/loader.c
+++ b/dlls/ntdll/loader.c
@@ -2419,12 +2419,12 @@ void WINAPI LdrInitializeThunk( ULONG unknown1, ULONG unknown2, ULONG unknown3,
     if ((status = fixup_imports( wm, load_path )) != STATUS_SUCCESS) goto error;
     if ((status = alloc_process_tls()) != STATUS_SUCCESS) goto error;
     if ((status = alloc_thread_tls()) != STATUS_SUCCESS) goto error;
+    if (nt->FileHeader.Characteristics & IMAGE_FILE_LARGE_ADDRESS_AWARE) VIRTUAL_UseLargeAddressSpace();
 
     status = wine_call_on_stack( attach_process_dlls, wm, NtCurrentTeb()->Tib.StackBase );
     if (status != STATUS_SUCCESS) goto error;
 
     virtual_clear_thread_stack();
-    if (nt->FileHeader.Characteristics & IMAGE_FILE_LARGE_ADDRESS_AWARE) VIRTUAL_UseLargeAddressSpace();
     return;
 
 error: