diff --git a/src/base/ApplicationTrait.php b/src/base/ApplicationTrait.php
index e3b87539951..5e1356726dd 100644
--- a/src/base/ApplicationTrait.php
+++ b/src/base/ApplicationTrait.php
@@ -1227,12 +1227,13 @@ private function _init()
         // Set the timezone
         $this->_setTimeZone();
 
-        // Set the language
-        $this->_setLanguage();
-
         // Load the plugins
+        // (this has to happen before setting the language, so plugin class aliases are registered in time)
         $this->getPlugins()->loadPlugins();
 
+        // Set the language
+        $this->_setLanguage();
+
         // Fire an 'afterInit' event
         $this->trigger(WebApplication::EVENT_AFTER_INIT);
     }