diff --git a/cli/server.go b/cli/server.go
index 736ba67e..3e7f7a74 100644
--- a/cli/server.go
+++ b/cli/server.go
@@ -86,6 +86,10 @@ func runServer(ctx context.Context, cfg *Config) error {
 	logger := initLogger(cfg.LogLevel)
 	logger.Info("compass starting", "version", Version)
 
+	if err := cfg.Asset.Validate(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
 	nrApp, cleanUp, err := telemetry.Init(ctx, cfg.Telemetry, logger)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -148,10 +152,6 @@ func runServer(ctx context.Context, cfg *Config) error {
 		}
 	}()
 
-	if err = cfg.Asset.Validate(); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
 	assetService, cancel := asset.NewService(asset.ServiceDeps{
 		AssetRepo:           assetRepository,
 		DiscoveryRepo:       discoveryRepository,