diff --git a/renku/core/commands/workflow.py b/renku/core/commands/workflow.py
index b4648bcd1b..3671b4e2e0 100644
--- a/renku/core/commands/workflow.py
+++ b/renku/core/commands/workflow.py
@@ -469,6 +469,9 @@ def execute_workflow(
 
     delete_indirect_files_list(client.path)
 
+    if config:
+        config = _safe_read_yaml(config)
+
     started_at_time = local_now()
 
     execute(dag=dag, basedir=client.path, provider=provider, config=config)
@@ -523,9 +526,6 @@ def _nested_dict():
             f'{",".join(rv.missing_parameters)}'
         )
 
-    if config:
-        config = _safe_read_yaml(config)
-
     graph = ExecutionGraph([workflow], virtual_links=True)
     execute_workflow(dag=graph.workflow_graph, command_name="execute", provider=provider, config=config)
 
@@ -734,8 +734,6 @@ def _iterate_workflow(
 
     from renku.core.models.tabulate import tabulate
 
-    TAG_SEPARATOR = "@"
-
     if mapping_path is None and len(mappings) == 0:
         raise errors.UsageError("No mapping has been given for the iteration!")