diff --git a/packages/@vuepress/core/lib/prepare/loadTheme.js b/packages/@vuepress/core/lib/prepare/loadTheme.js
index 207d344804..23585338cc 100644
--- a/packages/@vuepress/core/lib/prepare/loadTheme.js
+++ b/packages/@vuepress/core/lib/prepare/loadTheme.js
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ const {
 
 module.exports = async function loadTheme (ctx) {
   const { siteConfig, cliOptions, sourceDir, vuepressDir, pluginAPI } = ctx
-  const theme = siteConfig.theme || cliOptions.theme
+  const theme = cliOptions.theme || siteConfig.theme
   const themeResolver = getThemeResolver()
 
   const localThemePath = path.resolve(vuepressDir, 'theme')