diff --git a/dotbot/plugins/link.py b/dotbot/plugins/link.py
index 8c550d5..2722857 100644
--- a/dotbot/plugins/link.py
+++ b/dotbot/plugins/link.py
@@ -24,9 +24,9 @@ class Link(dotbot.Plugin):
         success = True
         defaults = self._context.defaults().get('link', {})
         for destination, source in links.items():
+            destination = os.path.expandvars(destination)
             destination = os.path.normpath(destination)
             source = os.path.normpath(source)
-            destination = os.path.expandvars(destination)
             relative = defaults.get('relative', False)
             force = defaults.get('force', False)
             relink = defaults.get('relink', False)