diff --git a/udemy_downloader/UdemyDownloader.py b/udemy_downloader/UdemyDownloader.py
index d51661a..7b4830e 100644
--- a/udemy_downloader/UdemyDownloader.py
+++ b/udemy_downloader/UdemyDownloader.py
@@ -978,6 +978,10 @@ def try_load_keys():
 
 def UdemyDownloader():
     global udemy, course, resource
+
+    # loads the .env file
+    load_dotenv()
+
     check_dirs()
 
     # Creates a new parser and sets up the arguments
@@ -1000,9 +1004,6 @@ def UdemyDownloader():
     # ensure 3rd party binaries are installed
     ensure_dependencies_installed()
 
-    # loads the .env file
-    load_dotenv()
-
     udemy = Udemy(access_token=bearer_token)
 
     print("> Fetching course information, this may take a minute...")