diff --git a/quimb/tensor/tensor_builder.py b/quimb/tensor/tensor_builder.py
index ee0967b0..13301cda 100644
--- a/quimb/tensor/tensor_builder.py
+++ b/quimb/tensor/tensor_builder.py
@@ -2758,6 +2758,10 @@ def cnf_file_parse(fname):
     with open(fname, "r") as f:
         for line in f:
             args = line.split()
+            
+            # ignore empty lines, other comments and info line
+            if (not args) or (args == ["0"]) or (args[0][0] in "c%"):
+                continue
 
             # global info, just record
             if args[0] == "p":
@@ -2790,10 +2794,6 @@ def cnf_file_parse(fname):
                 weights[int(sgn_var)] = float(w)
                 continue
 
-            # ignore empty lines, other comments and info line
-            if (not args) or (args == ["0"]) or (args[0][0] in "c%"):
-                continue
-
             # clause tensor, drop last '0' (endline marker) and empty strings
             if args[-1] != "0":
                 raise ValueError(f"Invalid clause: {line}")