diff --git a/hey.go b/hey.go
index f727e26b..9f3a9917 100644
--- a/hey.go
+++ b/hey.go
@@ -196,9 +196,6 @@ func main() {
 		usageAndExit(err.Error())
 	}
 	req.ContentLength = int64(len(bodyAll))
-	if username != "" || password != "" {
-		req.SetBasicAuth(username, password)
-	}
 
 	// set host header if set
 	if *hostHeader != "" {
@@ -221,6 +218,10 @@ func main() {
 
 	req.Header = header
 
+	if username != "" || password != "" {
+		req.SetBasicAuth(username, password)
+	}
+
 	w := &requester.Work{
 		Request:            req,
 		RequestBody:        bodyAll,