diff --git a/src/vector/index.js b/src/vector/index.js
index 52379257..f02313e0 100644
--- a/src/vector/index.js
+++ b/src/vector/index.js
@@ -195,11 +195,6 @@ async function loadApp() {
 
     await loadOlm();
 
-    await loadLanguage();
-
-    const fragparts = parseQsFromFragment(window.location);
-    const params = parseQs(window.location);
-
     // set the platform for react sdk
     if (window.ipcRenderer) {
         console.log("Using Electron platform");
@@ -239,6 +234,12 @@ async function loadApp() {
     // granular settings are loaded correctly and to avoid duplicating the override logic for the theme.
     SdkConfig.put(configJson);
 
+    // Load language after loading config.json so that settingsDefaults.language can be applied
+    await loadLanguage();
+
+    const fragparts = parseQsFromFragment(window.location);
+    const params = parseQs(window.location);
+
     // don't try to redirect to the native apps if we're
     // verifying a 3pid (but after we've loaded the config)
     // or if the user is following a deep link
@@ -430,6 +431,7 @@ function loadOlm() {
 
 async function loadLanguage() {
     const prefLang = SettingsStore.getValue("language", null, /*excludeDefault=*/true);
+    console.log("DEBUG", prefLang);
     let langs = [];
 
     if (!prefLang) {
@@ -439,6 +441,7 @@ async function loadLanguage() {
     } else {
         langs = [prefLang];
     }
+    console.log("DEBUG1", langs);
     try {
         await languageHandler.setLanguage(langs);
         document.documentElement.setAttribute("lang", languageHandler.getCurrentLanguage());