diff --git a/builder b/builder
index 009e917..b832150 100755
--- a/builder
+++ b/builder
@@ -264,6 +264,17 @@ qx|echo 'ACCEPT_LICENSE="*"' >> /etc/portage/make.conf|;    #just plain evil
 my @packages = @ARGV;
 
 if ($use_equo) {
+
+    # best effort mask
+    if ($equo_masks) {
+        system("equo mask $_") for ( split( / /, $equo_masks ) );
+    }
+
+    # best effort unmask
+    if ($equo_unmasks) {
+        system("equo unmask $_") for ( split( / /, $equo_unmasks ) );
+    }
+
     my @packages_deps;
     my @Installed_Packages = qx/equo q list installed --quiet/;
     my @Available_Packages = available_packages();
@@ -308,16 +319,6 @@ if ($use_equo) {
     }
 }
 
-# best effort -B
-if ($equo_masks) {
-    system("equo mask $_") for ( split( / /, $equo_masks ) );
-}
-
-# best effort -B
-if ($equo_unmasks) {
-    system("equo unmask $_") for ( split( / /, $equo_unmasks ) );
-}
-
 say "*** Ready to compile, finger crossed ***";
 
 system("emerge --info")