diff --git a/core/spacemacs-mode.el b/core/spacemacs-mode.el
index c2653f001..7b824560f 100644
--- a/core/spacemacs-mode.el
+++ b/core/spacemacs-mode.el
@@ -99,6 +99,8 @@
     (insert-file-contents (concat spacemacs-core-directory "banner.txt"))
     (spacemacs/insert-buttons))
   ;; evil and evil-leader must be installed at the beginning of the boot sequence
+  ;; use C-u as scroll-up (must be set before actually loading evil)
+  (setq-default evil-want-C-u-scroll t)
   (spacemacs/load-or-install-package 'evil t)
   (spacemacs/load-or-install-package 'evil-leader t)
   ;; motion state since this is a special mode
diff --git a/spacemacs/config.el b/spacemacs/config.el
index 89021ebec..e18b79d6c 100644
--- a/spacemacs/config.el
+++ b/spacemacs/config.el
@@ -55,8 +55,6 @@
 ;; no beep pleeeeeease ! (and no visual blinking too please)
 (custom-set-variables '(ring-bell-function 'ignore))
 (setq visible-bell nil)
-;; use C-u as scroll-up
-(setq-default evil-want-C-u-scroll t)
 
 ;; Hack to fix a bug with tabulated-list.el
 ;; see: http://redd.it/2dgy52