diff --git a/middleman-core/lib/middleman-core/cli.rb b/middleman-core/lib/middleman-core/cli.rb
index 7823de81..350baf35 100644
--- a/middleman-core/lib/middleman-core/cli.rb
+++ b/middleman-core/lib/middleman-core/cli.rb
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@ module Middleman
 
       desc 'version', 'Show version'
       def version
-        require 'middleman-core/version'
         say "Middleman #{Middleman::VERSION}"
       end
 
@@ -81,6 +80,9 @@ module Middleman
   end
 end
 
+# Require the Middleman version
+require 'middleman-core/version'
+
 # Include the core CLI items
 require 'middleman-core/cli/init'
 require 'middleman-core/cli/bundler'