diff --git a/sqlite_utils/cli.py b/sqlite_utils/cli.py
index acfaab6..8255b56 100644
--- a/sqlite_utils/cli.py
+++ b/sqlite_utils/cli.py
@@ -1379,14 +1379,14 @@ def create_database(path, enable_wal, init_spatialite, load_extension):
     if enable_wal:
         db.enable_wal()
 
-    # load spatialite from expected locations
-    if init_spatialite:
-        db.init_spatialite()
-
     # load spatialite or another extension from a custom location
     if load_extension:
         _load_extensions(db, load_extension)
 
+    # load spatialite from expected locations and initialize metadata
+    if init_spatialite:
+        db.init_spatialite()
+
     db.vacuum()