diff --git a/libc/bionic/libc_init_common.cpp b/libc/bionic/libc_init_common.cpp
index f2c3f1c..01cd2e5 100644
--- a/libc/bionic/libc_init_common.cpp
+++ b/libc/bionic/libc_init_common.cpp
@@ -87,6 +87,11 @@
 }
 
 void __libc_init_scudo() {
+  // Heap tagging level *must* be set before interacting with Scudo, otherwise
+  // the primary will be mapped with PROT_MTE even if MTE is is not enabled in
+  // this process.
+  SetDefaultHeapTaggingLevel();
+
 // TODO(b/158870657) make this unconditional when all devices support SCUDO.
 #if defined(USE_SCUDO)
 #if defined(SCUDO_PATTERN_FILL_CONTENTS)
@@ -95,7 +100,6 @@
   scudo_malloc_set_zero_contents(1);
 #endif
 #endif
-  SetDefaultHeapTaggingLevel();
 }
 
 __BIONIC_WEAK_FOR_NATIVE_BRIDGE