diff --git a/src/py/litestar_vite/loader.py b/src/py/litestar_vite/loader.py
index 843e7576..12121480 100644
--- a/src/py/litestar_vite/loader.py
+++ b/src/py/litestar_vite/loader.py
@@ -104,7 +104,9 @@ def initialize_loader(cls, config: "ViteConfig") -> "ViteAssetLoader":
         Returns:
             The manifest loader.
         """
-        return cls(config=config)
+        _cls = cls(config=config)
+        _cls.parse_manifest()
+        return _cls
 
     @cached_property
     def version_id(self) -> str: