diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 62ac8ab..1586c80 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -463,11 +463,10 @@ startup sequence for more flexibility and better performance.
 
 In practice this means that step 10 of [Neovim Initialization](https://neovim.io/doc/user/starting.html#initialization) is done by Lazy:
 
-1. all files from `/plugin` and `/ftdetect` directories in you rtp are sourced (excluding `/after`)
-2. all plugins with `lazy=false` are loaded. This includes sourcing `/plugin` and `/ftdetect` files. (`/after` will not be sourced yet)
-3. all plugins' `/after/plugin` files are sourced
-4. all `/after/plugin` files from the original rtp are sourced
-5. all the plugins' `init()` functions are executed
+1. all plugins with `lazy=false` are loaded. This includes sourcing `/plugin` and `/ftdetect` files. (`/after` will not be sourced yet)
+2. all files from `/plugin` and `/ftdetect` directories in you rtp are sourced (excluding `/after`)
+3. all `/after/plugin` files are sourced (this inludes `/after` from plugins)
+4. all the plugins' `init()` functions are executed
 
 Files from runtime directories are always sourced in alphabetical order.
 
diff --git a/lua/lazy/core/loader.lua b/lua/lazy/core/loader.lua
index f705f7c..931cf4c 100644
--- a/lua/lazy/core/loader.lua
+++ b/lua/lazy/core/loader.lua
@@ -46,18 +46,13 @@ end
 function M.startup()
   Util.track({ start = "startup" })
 
+  -- load filetype.lua first since plugins might depend on that
   M.source(vim.env.VIMRUNTIME .. "/filetype.lua")
 
-  -- load plugins from rtp, excluding after
-  Util.track({ start = "rtp plugins" })
-  for _, path in ipairs(vim.opt.rtp:get()) do
-    if not path:find("after/?$") then
-      M.packadd(path)
-    end
-  end
-  Util.track()
+  -- backup original rtp
+  local rtp = vim.opt.rtp:get()
 
-  -- load start plugin
+  -- 1. load start plugin
   Util.track({ start = "start" })
   for _, plugin in pairs(Config.plugins) do
     if plugin.lazy == false then
@@ -66,7 +61,16 @@ function M.startup()
   end
   Util.track()
 
-  -- load after plugins
+  -- 2. load plugins from rtp, excluding after
+  Util.track({ start = "rtp plugins" })
+  for _, path in ipairs(rtp) do
+    if not path:find("after/?$") then
+      M.packadd(path)
+    end
+  end
+  Util.track()
+
+  -- 3. load after plugins
   Util.track({ start = "after" })
   for _, path in ipairs(vim.opt.rtp:get()) do
     if path:find("after/?$") then
@@ -77,7 +81,7 @@ function M.startup()
 
   M.init_done = true
 
-  -- run plugin init
+  -- 4. run plugin init
   Util.track({ start = "init" })
   for _, plugin in pairs(Config.plugins) do
     if plugin.init then