diff --git a/yt_dlp/webvtt.py b/yt_dlp/webvtt.py
index 596e9bf738..c80c58631d 100644
--- a/yt_dlp/webvtt.py
+++ b/yt_dlp/webvtt.py
@@ -286,8 +286,8 @@ def parse(cls, parser):
         m1 = parser.consume(_REGEX_TS)
         if not m1:
             return None
-        parser.consume(_REGEX_OPTIONAL_WHITESPACE)
         m2 = parser.consume(cls._REGEX_SETTINGS)
+        parser.consume(_REGEX_OPTIONAL_WHITESPACE)
         if not parser.consume(_REGEX_NL):
             return None