diff --git a/config/config.go b/config/config.go
index 3770115..1b7dbe8 100644
--- a/config/config.go
+++ b/config/config.go
@@ -332,12 +332,6 @@ type Configuration struct {
 // This function does not modify the currently stored global configuration.
 func NewAtPath(path string) (*Configuration, error) {
 	var c Configuration
-	// Configures the default values for many of the configuration options present
-	// in the structs. Values set in the configuration file take priority over the
-	// default values.
-	if err := defaults.Set(&c); err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
 	// Track the location where we created this configuration.
 	c.path = path
 	return &c, nil
@@ -513,6 +507,13 @@ func FromFile(path string) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
+	// Configures the default values for many of the configuration options present
+	// in the structs. Values set in the configuration file will not be overridden by the
+	// default values.
+	if err := defaults.Set(c); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
 	// Store this configuration in the global state.
 	Set(c)
 	return nil