diff --git a/examples/companion_radio/main.cpp b/examples/companion_radio/main.cpp
index 20feef3..86692f0 100644
--- a/examples/companion_radio/main.cpp
+++ b/examples/companion_radio/main.cpp
@@ -320,6 +320,9 @@ void setup() {
   }
   MESH_DEBUG_PRINTLN("setup() - radio_init() done");
 
+  // CPU frequency scaling — drop to 80 MHz for idle mesh listening
+  cpuPower.begin();
+
   MESH_DEBUG_PRINTLN("setup() - about to call fast_rng.begin()");
   fast_rng.begin(radio_get_rng_seed());
   MESH_DEBUG_PRINTLN("setup() - fast_rng.begin() done");
@@ -555,9 +558,6 @@ void setup() {
   }
   #endif
 
-  // CPU frequency scaling — drop to 80 MHz for idle mesh listening
-  cpuPower.begin();
-
   // T-Deck Pro: BLE starts disabled for standalone-first operation
   // User can toggle it on from the Bluetooth home page (Enter or long-press)
   #if defined(LilyGo_TDeck_Pro) && defined(BLE_PIN_CODE)