diff --git a/install.sh b/install.sh
index c976e5a..146bab9 100755
--- a/install.sh
+++ b/install.sh
@@ -299,9 +299,6 @@ execute_script() {
     fi
 }
 
-# Immediately install the Debian Hyprland stack; source builds remain available via individual scripts if needed
-install_debian_hyprland_stack
-
 # Load centralized Hyprland stack tags if present and export for child scripts
 if [ -f "./hypr-tags.env" ]; then
     # shellcheck disable=SC1091
@@ -514,6 +511,9 @@ echo "${INFO} Installing ${SKY_BLUE}necessary fonts...${RESET}" | tee -a "$LOG"
 sleep 1
 execute_script "fonts.sh"
 
+# Install core Debian Hyprland stack (0.51.1+ds-1 and ecosystem) before running Hyprland-specific scripts
+install_debian_hyprland_stack
+
 # Optional: refresh tags before building the Hyprland stack
 # Set FETCH_LATEST=1 to opt-in (default is no-refresh to honor pinned tags)
 if [ "${FETCH_LATEST:-0}" = "1" ] && [ -f ./refresh-hypr-tags.sh ]; then