diff --git a/manifests/mod.pp b/manifests/mod.pp
index 2795578ec..b937e8f05 100644
--- a/manifests/mod.pp
+++ b/manifests/mod.pp
@@ -68,6 +68,8 @@
       ],
       default => File[$_loadfile_name],
     }
+    # if there are any packages, they should be installed before the associated conf file
+    Package[$_package] -> File<| title == "${mod}.conf" |>
     # $_package may be an array
     package { $_package:
       ensure  => $package_ensure,