diff --git a/modules/backend/formwidgets/Repeater.php b/modules/backend/formwidgets/Repeater.php
index 95ac67c90..159f20c3e 100644
--- a/modules/backend/formwidgets/Repeater.php
+++ b/modules/backend/formwidgets/Repeater.php
@@ -248,16 +248,6 @@ class Repeater extends FormWidgetBase
             }
         }
 
-        if (!$this->childAddItemCalled && $currentValue === null) {
-            $this->formWidgets = [];
-            return;
-        }
-
-        if ($this->childAddItemCalled && !isset($currentValue[$this->childIndexCalled])) {
-            // If no value is available but a child repeater has added an item, add a "stub" repeater item
-            $this->makeItemFormWidget($this->childIndexCalled);
-        }
-
         // Ensure that the minimum number of items are preinitialized
         // ONLY DONE WHEN NOT IN GROUP MODE
         if (!$this->useGroups && $this->minItems > 0) {
@@ -273,6 +263,16 @@ class Repeater extends FormWidgetBase
             }
         }
 
+        if (!$this->childAddItemCalled && $currentValue === null) {
+            $this->formWidgets = [];
+            return;
+        }
+
+        if ($this->childAddItemCalled && !isset($currentValue[$this->childIndexCalled])) {
+            // If no value is available but a child repeater has added an item, add a "stub" repeater item
+            $this->makeItemFormWidget($this->childIndexCalled);
+        }
+
         if (!is_array($currentValue)) {
             return;
         }