diff --git a/code/cgame/cg_players.c b/code/cgame/cg_players.c
index 0be7bfec4..65b64aab1 100644
--- a/code/cgame/cg_players.c
+++ b/code/cgame/cg_players.c
@@ -164,9 +164,9 @@ static qboolean CG_ParseAnimationFile(const char *filename, clientInfo_t *ci) {
 			}
 			continue;
 		} else if (!Q_stricmp(token, "sex")) {
+			token = COM_Parse(&text_p);
 			// not given in the userinfo - then use the one from animation.cfg
 			if (ci->gender == GENDER_MAX) {
-				token = COM_Parse(&text_p);
 				if (!token[0]) {
 					ci->gender = GENDER_NONE;
 					break;