diff --git a/person.py b/person.py
index 61a307f10..e0b4f2a51 100644
--- a/person.py
+++ b/person.py
@@ -447,10 +447,10 @@ def createPerson(baseDir: str, nickname: str, domain: str, port: int,
                                                       password)
     if noOfAccounts(baseDir) == 1:
         # print(nickname+' becomes the instance admin and a moderator')
+        setConfigParam(baseDir, 'admin', nickname)
         setRole(baseDir, nickname, domain, 'instance', 'admin')
         setRole(baseDir, nickname, domain, 'instance', 'moderator')
         setRole(baseDir, nickname, domain, 'instance', 'delegator')
-        setConfigParam(baseDir, 'admin', nickname)
 
     if not os.path.isdir(baseDir + '/accounts'):
         os.mkdir(baseDir + '/accounts')