diff --git a/parity/main.rs b/parity/main.rs
index 679bc012a..284dac673 100644
--- a/parity/main.rs
+++ b/parity/main.rs
@@ -109,6 +109,11 @@ fn execute(conf: Configuration) {
 		return;
 	}
 
+	if conf.args.cmd_signer {
+		execute_signer(conf);
+		return;
+	}
+
 	let spec = conf.spec();
 	let client_config = conf.client_config(&spec);
 
@@ -133,11 +138,6 @@ fn execute(conf: Configuration) {
 		return;
 	}
 
-	if conf.args.cmd_signer {
-		execute_signer(conf);
-		return;
-	}
-
 	execute_client(conf, spec, client_config);
 }