diff --git a/britney.py b/britney.py
index c454d9f..879d2c2 100755
--- a/britney.py
+++ b/britney.py
@@ -292,11 +292,6 @@ class Britney(object):
         self.all_selected = []
         self.excuses = {}
 
-        try:
-            self.read_hints(self.options.hintsdir)
-        except AttributeError:
-            self.read_hints(os.path.join(self.suite_info['unstable'].path, 'Hints'))
-
         if self.options.nuninst_cache:
             self.logger.info("Not building the list of non-installable packages, as requested")
             if self.options.print_uninst:
@@ -371,6 +366,14 @@ class Britney(object):
         # nuninst_orig may get updated during the upgrade process
         self.nuninst_orig_save = clone_nuninst(self.nuninst_orig, architectures=self.options.architectures)
 
+        for policy in self.policies:
+            policy.register_hints(self._hint_parser)
+
+        try:
+            self.read_hints(self.options.hintsdir)
+        except AttributeError:
+            self.read_hints(os.path.join(self.suite_info['unstable'].path, 'Hints'))
+
         for policy in self.policies:
             policy.hints = self.hints
             policy.initialise(self)
@@ -496,9 +499,6 @@ class Britney(object):
         self.policies.append(AgePolicy(self.options, self.suite_info, MINDAYS))
         self.policies.append(BuildDependsPolicy(self.options, self.suite_info))
 
-        for policy in self.policies:
-            policy.register_hints(self._hint_parser)
-
     @property
     def hints(self):
         return self._hint_parser.hints