diff --git a/libtransmission/transmission.c b/libtransmission/transmission.c
index 581dec75a..1bd9318bc 100644
--- a/libtransmission/transmission.c
+++ b/libtransmission/transmission.c
@@ -123,12 +123,12 @@ tr_handle * tr_init( const char * tag )
 
     h->encryptionMode = TR_ENCRYPTION_PREFERRED;
 
+    tr_netInit(); /* must go before tr_eventInit */
+
     tr_eventInit( h );
     while( !h->events )
         tr_wait( 50 );
 
-    tr_netInit();
-
     h->tag = strdup( tag );
     if( !h->tag ) {
         free( h );