diff --git a/cmd/syncthing/main.go b/cmd/syncthing/main.go
index 3917c42e..accc2a6d 100644
--- a/cmd/syncthing/main.go
+++ b/cmd/syncthing/main.go
@@ -225,10 +225,6 @@ func defaultRuntimeOptions() RuntimeOptions {
 		logFlags:     log.Ltime,
 	}
 
-	if options.assetDir != "" {
-		options.assetDir = locations[locGUIAssets]
-	}
-
 	if os.Getenv("STTRACE") != "" {
 		options.logFlags = log.Ltime | log.Ldate | log.Lmicroseconds | log.Lshortfile
 	}
@@ -308,6 +304,12 @@ func main() {
 		options.logFile = locations[locLogFile]
 	}
 
+	if options.assetDir == "" {
+		// The asset dir is blank if STGUIASSETS wasn't set, in which case we
+		// should look for extra assets in the default place.
+		options.assetDir = locations[locGUIAssets]
+	}
+
 	if options.showVersion {
 		fmt.Println(LongVersion)
 		return