diff --git a/radio/src/edgetx.cpp b/radio/src/edgetx.cpp
index f7e451f6d..9b8014b77 100644
--- a/radio/src/edgetx.cpp
+++ b/radio/src/edgetx.cpp
@@ -1417,6 +1417,9 @@ void edgeTxInit()
   lcdSetContrast();
 #endif
 
+  currentBacklightBright = requiredBacklightBright = g_eeGeneral.getBrightness();
+  BACKLIGHT_ENABLE(); // we start the backlight during the startup animation
+
 #if defined(STARTUP_ANIMATION)
   if (WAS_RESET_BY_WATCHDOG_OR_SOFTWARE()) {
     pwrOn();
@@ -1497,11 +1500,8 @@ void edgeTxInit()
 #endif
 #endif
 
-  currentBacklightBright = requiredBacklightBright = g_eeGeneral.getBrightness();
-
   referenceSystemAudioFiles();
   audioQueue.start();
-  BACKLIGHT_ENABLE();
 
 #if defined(COLORLCD)
   ThemePersistance::instance()->loadDefaultTheme();