diff --git a/ppafm/common.py b/ppafm/common.py
index 19f92d87..08d72e0e 100644
--- a/ppafm/common.py
+++ b/ppafm/common.py
@@ -117,10 +117,10 @@ def to_file(self, file_path: typing.Union[str, Path] = Path("params.toml")):
     def load_ini(self, lines):
         for line in lines:
             words = line.split()
+            if words[0][0] == "#":
+                continue
             if len(words) >= 2:
                 key = words[0]
-                if key[0] == "#":
-                    continue
                 if hasattr(self, key):
                     val = getattr(self, key)
                     if verbose > 0: