diff --git a/inventoryClient.lua b/inventoryClient.lua
index 71cd35a..d7b9518 100644
--- a/inventoryClient.lua
+++ b/inventoryClient.lua
@@ -26,6 +26,13 @@ local DROPPER_ANNOUNCE_INTERVAL = 30  -- seconds between dropper announcements
 
 local CLIENT_CONFIG_FILE = ".client_config"
 
+-------------------------------------------------
+-- Shared UI helpers (loaded early for config use)
+-------------------------------------------------
+
+local ui = dofile("lib/ui.lua")
+local log = dofile("lib/log.lua")
+
 local function loadConfig()
     if not fs.exists(CLIENT_CONFIG_FILE) then return end
     local f = fs.open(CLIENT_CONFIG_FILE, "r")
@@ -89,13 +96,6 @@ local CRAFTABLE = {}     -- populated from master broadcast
 local craftTurtleOk = false
 local connected = false  -- true once first state received
 
--------------------------------------------------
--- Shared UI helpers
--------------------------------------------------
-
-local ui = dofile("lib/ui.lua")
-local log = dofile("lib/log.lua")
-
 -------------------------------------------------
 -- UI State (local to client)
 -------------------------------------------------