diff --git a/simgear/scene/model/model.cxx b/simgear/scene/model/model.cxx
index 645b6fc4..f8740adc 100644
--- a/simgear/scene/model/model.cxx
+++ b/simgear/scene/model/model.cxx
@@ -271,10 +271,6 @@ sgLoad3DModel( const string &fg_root, const string &path,
       throw sg_exception("Failed to load 3D model");
   }
 
-  if ( model != 0 ) {
-    makeDList( model );
-  }
-
                                 // Set up the alignment node
   ssgTransform * alignmainmodel = new ssgTransform;
   if ( load_panel == 0 )
@@ -336,6 +332,10 @@ sgLoad3DModel( const string &fg_root, const string &path,
                      sim_time_sec);
   }
 
+  if ( model != 0 ) {
+    makeDList( model );
+  }
+
   return alignmainmodel;
 }