diff --git a/Libraries/Geolocation/RCTLocationObserver.m b/Libraries/Geolocation/RCTLocationObserver.m
index e392db3203ac..17059ad3492a 100644
--- a/Libraries/Geolocation/RCTLocationObserver.m
+++ b/Libraries/Geolocation/RCTLocationObserver.m
@@ -141,7 +141,10 @@ - (void)beginLocationUpdatesWithDesiredAccuracy:(CLLocationAccuracy)desiredAccur
   }
 
   // Request location access permission
-  if ([[NSBundle mainBundle] objectForInfoDictionaryKey:@"NSLocationAlwaysUsageDescription"] &&
+  if ([[NSBundle mainBundle] objectForInfoDictionaryKey:@"NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription"] &&
+    [_locationManager respondsToSelector:@selector(requestWhenInUseAuthorization)]) {
+    [_locationManager requestWhenInUseAuthorization];
+  } else if ([[NSBundle mainBundle] objectForInfoDictionaryKey:@"NSLocationAlwaysUsageDescription"] &&
     [_locationManager respondsToSelector:@selector(requestAlwaysAuthorization)]) {
     [_locationManager requestAlwaysAuthorization];
 
@@ -152,9 +155,6 @@ - (void)beginLocationUpdatesWithDesiredAccuracy:(CLLocationAccuracy)desiredAccur
         [_locationManager setAllowsBackgroundLocationUpdates:YES];
       }
     }
-  } else if ([[NSBundle mainBundle] objectForInfoDictionaryKey:@"NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription"] &&
-    [_locationManager respondsToSelector:@selector(requestWhenInUseAuthorization)]) {
-    [_locationManager requestWhenInUseAuthorization];
   }
 
   _locationManager.distanceFilter  = distanceFilter;