diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/stage/client/StageScenePanel.java b/src/java/com/threerings/stage/client/StageScenePanel.java
index 7e11ecf42..b6fa0cc5f 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/stage/client/StageScenePanel.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/stage/client/StageScenePanel.java
@@ -127,10 +127,10 @@ public class StageScenePanel extends MisoScenePanel
     {
         _scene = scene;
         if (_scene != null) {
+            _rizer = new SceneColorizer(_ctx.getColorPository(), scene);
             recomputePortals();
             setSceneModel(StageMisoSceneModel.getSceneModel(
                               scene.getSceneModel()));
-            _rizer = new SceneColorizer(_ctx.getColorPository(), scene);
         } else {
             Log.warning("Zoiks! We can't display a null scene!");
             // TODO: display something to the user letting them know that