diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/index.js b/packages/server/src/api/index.js
index fc86058d08..6b81fb229b 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/index.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/index.js
@@ -53,6 +53,8 @@ router
   })
   .use("/health", ctx => (ctx.status = 200))
   .use("/version", ctx => (ctx.body = pkg.version))
+  // re-direct before any middlewares occur
+  .redirect("/", "/builder")
   .use(
     buildAuthMiddleware(null, {
       publicAllowed: true,
@@ -93,7 +95,4 @@ for (let route of mainRoutes) {
 router.use(staticRoutes.routes())
 router.use(staticRoutes.allowedMethods())
 
-// add a redirect for when hitting server directly
-router.redirect("/", "/builder")
-
 module.exports = router