diff --git a/gen/optimizer.cpp b/gen/optimizer.cpp
index 69c21fbe..967c856e 100644
--- a/gen/optimizer.cpp
+++ b/gen/optimizer.cpp
@@ -156,13 +156,6 @@ static void addPassesForOptLevel(PassManager& pm) {
         }
 #endif
     }
-#ifdef USE_METADATA
-    if (!disableStripMetaData) {
-        // This one is purposely not disabled by disableLangSpecificPasses
-        // because the code generator will assert if it's not used.
-        pm.add(createStripMetaData());
-    }
-#endif
 
     // -O3
     if (optimizeLevel >= 3)
@@ -252,6 +245,14 @@ bool ldc_optimize_module(llvm::Module* m)
     if (optimize)
         addPassesForOptLevel(pm);
 
+#ifdef USE_METADATA
+    if (!disableStripMetaData) {
+        // This one is purposely not disabled by disableLangSpecificPasses
+        // because the code generator will assert if it's not used.
+        pm.add(createStripMetaData());
+    }
+#endif
+
     pm.run(*m);
     return true;
 }