diff --git a/pynecone/utils/build.py b/pynecone/utils/build.py
index eaf5670a4..9fb97b673 100644
--- a/pynecone/utils/build.py
+++ b/pynecone/utils/build.py
@@ -126,6 +126,12 @@ def setup_frontend(root: Path):
     Args:
         root: root path of the project.
     """
+    # Initialize the web directory if it doesn't exist.
+    web_dir = prerequisites.create_web_directory(root)
+
+    # Install frontend packages
+    prerequisites.install_frontend_packages(web_dir)
+
     # copy asset files to public folder
     path_ops.mkdir(str(root / constants.WEB_ASSETS_DIR))
     path_ops.cp(
diff --git a/pynecone/utils/exec.py b/pynecone/utils/exec.py
index eb097ff4d..e76fbc653 100644
--- a/pynecone/utils/exec.py
+++ b/pynecone/utils/exec.py
@@ -38,12 +38,6 @@ def run_frontend(app: App, root: Path, port: str):
         root: root path of the project.
         port: port of the app.
     """
-    # Initialize the web directory if it doesn't exist.
-    web_dir = prerequisites.create_web_directory(root)
-
-    # Install frontend packages
-    prerequisites.install_frontend_packages(web_dir)
-
     # Set up the frontend.
     setup_frontend(root)