diff --git a/runtime/pack/dist/opt/netrw/autoload/netrw.vim b/runtime/pack/dist/opt/netrw/autoload/netrw.vim
index 7d7ff15df7..243ff8738f 100644
--- a/runtime/pack/dist/opt/netrw/autoload/netrw.vim
+++ b/runtime/pack/dist/opt/netrw/autoload/netrw.vim
@@ -21,6 +21,11 @@ endif
 
 let g:loaded_netrw = "v176"
 
+if !has("patch-9.1.1054") && !has('nvim')
+  echoerr 'netrw needs Vim v9.1.1054'
+  finish
+endif
+
 let s:keepcpo= &cpo
 setl cpo&vim
 "DechoFuncName 1
diff --git a/runtime/plugin/netrwPlugin.vim b/runtime/plugin/netrwPlugin.vim
index f3684bb27f..6d7a8660ff 100644
--- a/runtime/plugin/netrwPlugin.vim
+++ b/runtime/plugin/netrwPlugin.vim
@@ -1,10 +1,5 @@
 " Load the netrw package.
 
-if !has("patch-9.1.1054") || !has('nvim')
-  echoerr 'netrw needs vim v9.1.1054'
-  finish
-endif
-
 if &cp || exists("g:loaded_netrw") || exists("g:loaded_netrwPlugin")
   finish
 endif