diff --git a/IPython/ipmaker.py b/IPython/ipmaker.py
index d00f433..2f6ff75 100644
--- a/IPython/ipmaker.py
+++ b/IPython/ipmaker.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ Requires Python 2.1 or better.
 
 This file contains the main make_IPython() starter function.
 
-$Id: ipmaker.py 924 2005-11-15 20:24:31Z fperez $"""
+$Id: ipmaker.py 925 2005-11-15 20:39:39Z fperez $"""
 
 #*****************************************************************************
 #       Copyright (C) 2001-2004 Fernando Perez. <fperez@colorado.edu>
@@ -445,11 +445,15 @@ object? -> Details about 'object'. ?object also works, ?? prints more.
     #------------------------------------------------------------------------
     # Execute user config
 
-    # first, create a valid config structure with the right precedence order:
-    # defaults < rcfile < command line.  We make it as a local (IP_rc) to
-    # avoid a zillion attribute accesses.  Right before returning, this will
-    # be set as IP.rc.
-    IP_rc = rc_def.copy()
+    # Create a valid config structure with the right precedence order:
+    # defaults < rcfile < command line.  This needs to be in the instance, so
+    # that method calls below that rely on it find it.
+    IP.rc = rc_def.copy()
+
+    # Work with a local alias inside this routine to avoid unnecessary
+    # attribute lookups.
+    IP_rc = IP.rc
+    
     IP_rc.update(opts_def)
     if rcfiledata:
         # now we can update 
@@ -719,9 +723,6 @@ object? -> Details about 'object'. ?object also works, ?? prints more.
     # Final banner is a string
     IP.BANNER = '\n'.join(BANN_P)
 
-    # Assign the IP_rc object as an attribute of IP
-    IP.rc = IP_rc
-
     # Finalize the IPython instance.  This assumes the rc structure is fully
     # in place.
     IP.post_config_initialization()