diff --git a/src/backend/curses/n.rs b/src/backend/curses/n.rs
index 467a6c2..00cff61 100644
--- a/src/backend/curses/n.rs
+++ b/src/backend/curses/n.rs
@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@ impl backend::Backend for Concrete {
         // The delay is the time ncurses wait after pressing ESC
         // to see if it's an escape sequence.
         // Default delay is way too long. 25 is imperceptible yet works fine.
-        ::std::env::set_var("ESCDELAY", "25");
         ncurses::setlocale(ncurses::LcCategory::all, "");
+        ::std::env::set_var("ESCDELAY", "25");
         ncurses::initscr();
         ncurses::keypad(ncurses::stdscr(), true);
         ncurses::noecho();