diff --git a/configure.sh b/configure.sh
index b4ec5b7ed..8c81a157e 100755
--- a/configure.sh
+++ b/configure.sh
@@ -106,6 +106,9 @@ else
   echo "Skipping world map download..."
 fi
 
+echo "Generating search categories / synonyms..."
+./tools/unix/generate_categories.sh
+
 if [ -z "$SKIP_GENERATE_SYMBOLS" ]; then
   if Diff data/symbols_hash data/styles/*/*/symbols/* || [ ! -z "$SYMBOLS_NOT_GENERATED" ]; then
     echo "Generating symbols..."
@@ -124,6 +127,4 @@ else
   echo "Skipping generate drules..."
 fi
 
-./tools/unix/generate_categories.sh
-
 echo "The repository is configured for development."