diff --git a/multus/multus.go b/multus/multus.go
index d96ead5a7..ecd968ff2 100644
--- a/multus/multus.go
+++ b/multus/multus.go
@@ -58,6 +58,10 @@ func loadNetConf(bytes []byte) (*types.NetConf, error) {
 		defaultcninetwork = true
 	}
 
+	if netconf.CNIDir == "" {
+		netconf.CNIDir = defaultCNIDir
+	}
+
 	if netconf.UseDefault {
 		if netconf.Kubeconfig == "" || !defaultcninetwork {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf(`If you have set always_use_default, you must also set the delegates & the kubeconfig, refer to the README`)
@@ -73,10 +77,6 @@ func loadNetConf(bytes []byte) (*types.NetConf, error) {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf(`delegates or kubeconfig option is must, refer README.md`)
 	}
 
-	if netconf.CNIDir == "" {
-		netconf.CNIDir = defaultCNIDir
-	}
-
 	return netconf, nil
 }