diff --git a/dvc/commands/plots.py b/dvc/commands/plots.py
index d957d3be43..1f0f88209e 100644
--- a/dvc/commands/plots.py
+++ b/dvc/commands/plots.py
@@ -155,11 +155,6 @@ def run(self):
                 out=renderers_out,
                 templates_dir=self.repo.plots.templates_dir,
             )
-            if self.args.show_vega:
-                renderer = first(filter(lambda r: r.TYPE == "vega", renderers))
-                if renderer:
-                    ui.write_json(json.loads(renderer.get_filled_template()))
-                return 0
             if self.args.json:
                 renderers = _filter_unhandled_renderers(renderers)
                 _show_json(renderers, self.args.split)
@@ -167,6 +162,12 @@ def run(self):
 
             _adjust_vega_renderers(renderers)
 
+            if self.args.show_vega:
+                renderer = first(filter(lambda r: r.TYPE == "vega", renderers))
+                if renderer:
+                    ui.write_json(json.loads(renderer.get_filled_template()))
+                return 0
+
             output_file: Path = (Path.cwd() / out).resolve() / "index.html"
 
             if renderers: