diff --git a/pycassa/connection.py b/pycassa/connection.py
index 7fcade8b..b7a26247 100644
--- a/pycassa/connection.py
+++ b/pycassa/connection.py
@@ -50,12 +50,12 @@ def __init__(self, keyspace, server, framed_transport=True, timeout=None,
         Cassandra.Client.__init__(self, protocol)
         self.transport.open()
 
-        self.set_keyspace(keyspace)
-
         if credentials is not None:
             request = AuthenticationRequest(credentials=credentials)
             self.login(request)
 
+        self.set_keyspace(keyspace)
+
     def set_keyspace(self, keyspace):
         if keyspace != self.keyspace:
             Cassandra.Client.set_keyspace(self, keyspace)