diff --git a/config.py b/config.py
index 4fcfa5d..10eb63e 100644
--- a/config.py
+++ b/config.py
@@ -156,8 +156,8 @@ class Config(object):
         self.setoption(name, value, self._cfgimpl_owner)
         
     def _validate(self, name, opt_or_descr):
+        apply_requires(opt_or_descr, self) 
         if not type(opt_or_descr) == OptionDescription:
-            apply_requires(opt_or_descr, self) 
             # hidden options
             if self._cfgimpl_toplevel._cfgimpl_hidden and \
                 (opt_or_descr._is_hidden() or self._cfgimpl_descr._is_hidden()):
@@ -174,8 +174,6 @@ class Config(object):
                 if opt_or_descr.get_mode() != 'normal':
                     raise ModeOptionError("this option's mode is not normal:"
                                                             " {0}".format(name))
-        if type(opt_or_descr) == OptionDescription:
-            apply_requires(opt_or_descr, self) 
 
     def __getattr__(self, name):
         # attribute access by passing a path,