diff --git a/ec2-automate-backup/ec2-automate-backup.sh b/ec2-automate-backup/ec2-automate-backup.sh
index 2886db7..caf35de 100755
--- a/ec2-automate-backup/ec2-automate-backup.sh
+++ b/ec2-automate-backup/ec2-automate-backup.sh
@@ -133,9 +133,6 @@ purge_EBS_Snapshots() {
   done
 }
 
-#calls prerequisitecheck function to ensure that all executables required for script execution are available
-prerequisite_check
-
 app_name=$(basename $0)
 #sets defaults
 selection_method="volumeid"
@@ -176,6 +173,9 @@ if [[ -n $cron_primer ]]; then
   fi
 fi
 
+#calls prerequisitecheck function to ensure that all executables required for script execution are available
+prerequisite_check
+
 #if region is not set then:
 if [[ -z $region ]]; then
   #if the environment variable $EC2_REGION is not set set to us-east-1