diff --git a/unstructured/file_utils/filetype.py b/unstructured/file_utils/filetype.py
index 9fa42ca1f8..0c3c28a21e 100644
--- a/unstructured/file_utils/filetype.py
+++ b/unstructured/file_utils/filetype.py
@@ -323,14 +323,15 @@ def encoding(self) -> str:
     @lazyproperty
     def extension(self) -> str:
         """Best filename-extension we can muster, "" when there is no available source."""
-        # -- get from file_path, or file when it has a name (path) --
-        with self.open() as file:
-            if hasattr(file, "name") and file.name:
-                return os.path.splitext(file.name)[1].lower()
 
-        # -- otherwise use metadata file-path when provided --
+        # -- use metadata file-path when provided --
         if file_path := self._metadata_file_path:
             return os.path.splitext(file_path)[1].lower()
+          
+        # -- otherwise get from file_path, or file when it has a name (path) --
+        with self.open() as file:
+            if hasattr(file, "name") and file.name:
+                return os.path.splitext(file.name)[1].lower()
 
         # -- otherwise empty str means no extension, same as a path like "a/b/name-no-ext" --
         return ""