Index: trunk/src/org/openstreetmap/josm/gui/MainApplication.java
===================================================================
--- trunk/src/org/openstreetmap/josm/gui/MainApplication.java	(revision 7492)
+++ trunk/src/org/openstreetmap/josm/gui/MainApplication.java	(revision 7493)
@@ -353,4 +353,10 @@
         Main.pref.updateSystemProperties();
 
+        // asking for help? show help and exit
+        if (args.containsKey(Option.HELP)) {
+            showHelp();
+            System.exit(0);
+        }
+
         processOffline(args);
 
@@ -384,10 +390,4 @@
         ProxySelector.setDefault(proxySelector);
         OAuthAccessTokenHolder.getInstance().init(Main.pref, CredentialsManager.getInstance());
-
-        // asking for help? show help and exit
-        if (args.containsKey(Option.HELP)) {
-            showHelp();
-            System.exit(0);
-        }
 
         final SplashScreen splash = new SplashScreen();