diff --git a/lib/compass/commands/generate_grid_background.rb b/lib/compass/commands/generate_grid_background.rb
index 212573c4..d294d030 100644
--- a/lib/compass/commands/generate_grid_background.rb
+++ b/lib/compass/commands/generate_grid_background.rb
@@ -12,9 +12,6 @@ module Compass
       end
 
       def perform
-        read_project_configuration
-        Compass.configuration.set_maybe(options)
-        Compass.configuration.set_defaults!
         column_width, gutter_width = options[:grid_dimensions].split(/\+/).map{|d| d.to_i}
         unless GridBuilder.new(options.merge(:column_width => column_width, :gutter_width => gutter_width, :output_path => projectize(project_images_subdirectory), :working_path => self.working_path)).generate!
           puts "ERROR: Some library dependencies appear to be missing."
diff --git a/lib/compass/commands/project_base.rb b/lib/compass/commands/project_base.rb
index 3c34ffe6..1aba29b3 100644
--- a/lib/compass/commands/project_base.rb
+++ b/lib/compass/commands/project_base.rb
@@ -13,6 +13,9 @@ module Compass
         super(working_path, options)
         self.project_name = determine_project_name(working_path, options)
         Compass.configuration.project_path = determine_project_directory(working_path, options)
+        read_project_configuration
+        Compass.configuration.set_maybe(options)
+        Compass.configuration.set_defaults!
       end
 
       protected
diff --git a/lib/compass/commands/update_project.rb b/lib/compass/commands/update_project.rb
index 7c989573..a42046e9 100644
--- a/lib/compass/commands/update_project.rb
+++ b/lib/compass/commands/update_project.rb
@@ -11,9 +11,6 @@ module Compass
       end
 
       def perform
-        read_project_configuration
-        Compass.configuration.set_maybe(options)
-        Compass.configuration.set_defaults!
         Compass::Compiler.new(working_path,
                               projectize(Compass.configuration.sass_dir),
                               projectize(Compass.configuration.css_dir),
diff --git a/lib/compass/commands/write_configuration.rb b/lib/compass/commands/write_configuration.rb
index 04bbc2e4..8f0af86c 100644
--- a/lib/compass/commands/write_configuration.rb
+++ b/lib/compass/commands/write_configuration.rb
@@ -10,9 +10,6 @@ module Compass
       end
 
       def perform
-        read_project_configuration
-        Compass.configuration.set_maybe(options)
-        Compass.configuration.set_defaults!
         config_file = projectize("config.rb")
         if File.exists?(config_file)
           if options[:force]