diff --git a/application.c b/application.c
index b956332..208b670 100644
--- a/application.c
+++ b/application.c
@@ -332,19 +332,6 @@ void main(void)
 {
 	rcc_clock_setup_in_hse_8mhz_out_72mhz(); // use 8 MHz high speed external clock to generate 72 MHz internal clock
 
-#if DEBUG
-	// enable functionalities for easier debug
-	DBGMCU_CR |= DBGMCU_CR_IWDG_STOP; // stop independent watchdog counter when code is halted
-	DBGMCU_CR |= DBGMCU_CR_WWDG_STOP; // stop window watchdog counter when code is halted
-	DBGMCU_CR |= DBGMCU_CR_STANDBY; // allow debug also in standby mode (keep digital part and clock powered)
-	DBGMCU_CR |= DBGMCU_CR_STOP; // allow debug also in stop mode (keep clock powered)
-	DBGMCU_CR |= DBGMCU_CR_SLEEP; // allow debug also in sleep mode (keep clock powered)
-#else
-	// setup watchdog to reset in case we get stuck (i.e. when an error occurred)
-	iwdg_set_period_ms(WATCHDOG_PERIOD); // set independent watchdog period
-	iwdg_start(); // start independent watchdog
-#endif
-
 	board_setup(); // setup board
 	uart_setup(); // setup USART (for printing)
 	usb_cdcacm_setup(); // setup USB CDC ACM (for printing and DFU)
@@ -359,6 +346,26 @@ void main(void)
 	ir_nec_setup(true); // setup ID NEC code decoder
 	printf("\nwelcome to the CuVoodoo STM32F1 spark strober\n"); // print welcome message
 
+	// setup RTC
+	printf("setup internal RTC: ");
+	rtc_auto_awake(RCC_LSE, 32768-1); // ensure internal RTC is on, uses the 32.678 kHz LSE, and the prescale is set to our tick speed, else update backup registers accordingly (power off the micro-controller for the change to take effect)
+	rtc_interrupt_enable(RTC_SEC); // enable RTC interrupt on "seconds"
+	nvic_enable_irq(NVIC_RTC_IRQ); // allow the RTC to interrupt
+	printf("OK\n");
+
+#if DEBUG
+	// enable functionalities for easier debug
+	DBGMCU_CR |= DBGMCU_CR_IWDG_STOP; // stop independent watchdog counter when code is halted
+	DBGMCU_CR |= DBGMCU_CR_WWDG_STOP; // stop window watchdog counter when code is halted
+	DBGMCU_CR |= DBGMCU_CR_STANDBY; // allow debug also in standby mode (keep digital part and clock powered)
+	DBGMCU_CR |= DBGMCU_CR_STOP; // allow debug also in stop mode (keep clock powered)
+	DBGMCU_CR |= DBGMCU_CR_SLEEP; // allow debug also in sleep mode (keep clock powered)
+#else
+	// setup watchdog to reset in case we get stuck (i.e. when an error occurred)
+	iwdg_set_period_ms(WATCHDOG_PERIOD); // set independent watchdog period
+	iwdg_start(); // start independent watchdog
+#endif
+
 #if !(DEBUG)
 	// show watchdog information
 	printf("setup watchdog: %.2fs",WATCHDOG_PERIOD/1000.0);
@@ -371,12 +378,6 @@ void main(void)
 	}
 #endif
 
-	// setup RTC
-	printf("setup internal RTC: ");
-	rtc_auto_awake(RCC_LSE, 32768-1); // ensure internal RTC is on, uses the 32.678 kHz LSE, and the prescale is set to our tick speed, else update backup registers accordingly (power off the micro-controller for the change to take effect)
-	rtc_interrupt_enable(RTC_SEC); // enable RTC interrupt on "seconds"
-	nvic_enable_irq(NVIC_RTC_IRQ); // allow the RTC to interrupt
-	printf("OK\n");
 
 	// setup terminal
 	terminal_prefix = ""; // set default prefix