diff --git a/collects/drracket/private/unit.rkt b/collects/drracket/private/unit.rkt
index e387fea87f..6c5de3d15e 100644
--- a/collects/drracket/private/unit.rkt
+++ b/collects/drracket/private/unit.rkt
@@ -2790,8 +2790,8 @@ module browser threading seems wrong.
                        (get-defs-tab-label defs #f))
                    200))
             (init-definitions-text new-tab)
-            (change-to-nth-tab (- (send tabs-panel get-number) 1))
             (when filename (send defs load-file filename))
+            (change-to-nth-tab (- (send tabs-panel get-number) 1))
             (send ints initialize-console)
             (send tabs-panel set-selection (- (send tabs-panel get-number) 1))
             (set! newest-frame this)