--- a/litellm/litellm_core_utils/get_model_cost_map.py
+++ b/litellm/litellm_core_utils/get_model_cost_map.py
@@ -577,6 +577,7 @@
     first_outcome: _FetchAttemptRetryable,
 ) -> None:
     try:
+        _litellm_import_complete.wait()
         first_wait: Final = _next_retry_wait(outcome=first_outcome, attempt=1, max_attempts=max_attempts, rng=rng)
         if isinstance(first_wait, ModelCostMapReloadUnavailable):
             return
@@ -596,7 +597,6 @@
                 max_attempts,
             )
             return
-        _litellm_import_complete.wait()
         if not GetModelCostMap.validate_model_cost_map(
             fetched_map=result.model_cost_map,
             backup_model_count=GetModelCostMap._get_backup_model_count(),  # pyright: ignore[reportPrivateUsage]  # integrity cache