diff --git a/redbot/cogs/mod/__init__.py b/redbot/cogs/mod/__init__.py
index 425b2fdf2..eac692c5b 100644
--- a/redbot/cogs/mod/__init__.py
+++ b/redbot/cogs/mod/__init__.py
@@ -4,5 +4,5 @@ from .mod import Mod
 
 async def setup(bot: Red):
     cog = Mod(bot)
-    await cog.initialize()
     bot.add_cog(cog)
+    await cog.initialize()
diff --git a/redbot/cogs/mod/mod.py b/redbot/cogs/mod/mod.py
index 2a6ed45b3..65128f1bf 100644
--- a/redbot/cogs/mod/mod.py
+++ b/redbot/cogs/mod/mod.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
+import asyncio
+from abc import ABC
 from collections import defaultdict
 from typing import List, Tuple
-from abc import ABC
 
 import discord
 from redbot.core import Config, modlog, commands
@@ -77,8 +78,14 @@ class Mod(
         self.tban_expiry_task = self.bot.loop.create_task(self.check_tempban_expirations())
         self.last_case: dict = defaultdict(dict)
 
+        self._ready = asyncio.Event()
+
     async def initialize(self):
         await self._maybe_update_config()
+        self._ready.set()
+
+    async def cog_before_invoke(self, ctx: commands.Context) -> None:
+        await self._ready.wait()
 
     def cog_unload(self):
         self.tban_expiry_task.cancel()
@@ -102,7 +109,7 @@ class Mod(
                 "Please use `{prefix}moveignoredchannels` if "
                 "you were previously using these functions."
             ).format(prefix=prefixes[0])
-            await self.bot.send_to_owners(msg)
+            self.bot.loop.create_task(self.bot.send_to_owners(msg))
             await self.settings.version.set(__version__)
 
     @commands.command()