diff --git a/artiq/firmware/satman/jdcg.rs b/artiq/firmware/satman/jdcg.rs
index 340b59ce0..1237e493a 100644
--- a/artiq/firmware/satman/jdcg.rs
+++ b/artiq/firmware/satman/jdcg.rs
@@ -94,14 +94,16 @@ pub mod jdac {
                 error!("JESD core PHY not done");
                 return Err("JESD core PHY not done");
             }
+
+            basic_request(dacno, jdac_requests::INIT, 0)?;
+
+            // JESD ready depends on JSYNC being valid, so DAC init needs to happen first
             if !jesd::ready(dacno) {
-                error!("JESD core reported not ready, sending status print request");
+                error!("JESD core reported not ready, sending DAC status print request");
                 basic_request(dacno, jdac_requests::PRINT_STATUS, 0)?;
                 return Err("JESD core reported not ready");
             }
 
-            basic_request(dacno, jdac_requests::INIT, 0)?;
-
             jesd::prbs(dacno, true);
             basic_request(dacno, jdac_requests::PRBS, 0)?;
             jesd::prbs(dacno, false);