diff --git a/src/etc/rc.configure_firmware b/src/etc/rc.configure_firmware
index ffbffac27..ffd8cfe54 100755
--- a/src/etc/rc.configure_firmware
+++ b/src/etc/rc.configure_firmware
@@ -27,14 +27,14 @@
  * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
  */
 
-/* there seems to be a race with unpacking files */
-shell_exec('/bin/sync');
-
 /* abort in case of no valid config for image install */
 if (!file_exists('/conf/config.xml')) {
     exit(0);
 }
 
+/* there seems to be a race with unpacking files */
+shell_exec('/bin/sync');
+
 require_once 'config.inc';
 require_once 'auth.inc';
 require_once 'util.inc';
diff --git a/src/etc/rc.configure_plugins b/src/etc/rc.configure_plugins
index 7d8b75281..727aed971 100755
--- a/src/etc/rc.configure_plugins
+++ b/src/etc/rc.configure_plugins
@@ -27,6 +27,11 @@
  * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
  */
 
+/* abort in case of no valid config for image install */
+if (!file_exists('/conf/config.xml')) {
+    exit(0);
+}
+
 require_once 'config.inc';
 require_once 'system.inc';
 require_once 'interfaces.inc';