diff --git a/bitbake/bin/bitbake b/bitbake/bin/bitbake
index 0f4ff88171..6d74e5b85d 100755
--- a/bitbake/bin/bitbake
+++ b/bitbake/bin/bitbake
@@ -155,13 +155,13 @@ Default BBFILES are the .bb files in the current directory.""" )
     bb.utils.init_logger(bb.msg, configuration.verbose, configuration.debug,
                          configuration.debug_domains)
 
-    cooker = bb.cooker.BBCooker(configuration, server)
-
     # Clear away any spurious environment variables. But don't wipe the
     # environment totally. This is necessary to ensure the correct operation
     # of the UIs (e.g. for DISPLAY, etc.)
     bb.utils.clean_environment()
 
+    cooker = bb.cooker.BBCooker(configuration, server)
+
     cooker.parseCommandLine()
 
     serverinfo = server.BitbakeServerInfo(cooker.server)