diff --git a/assume/common/outputs.py b/assume/common/outputs.py
index 8e683b98..872cd056 100644
--- a/assume/common/outputs.py
+++ b/assume/common/outputs.py
@@ -86,17 +86,6 @@ def __init__(
         self.learning_mode = learning_mode
         self.perform_evaluation = perform_evaluation
 
-        # get episode number if in learning or evaluation mode
-        self.episode = None
-        if self.learning_mode or self.perform_evaluation:
-            episode = self.simulation_id.split("_")[-1]
-            if episode.isdigit():
-                self.episode = int(episode)
-
-            # check if episode=0 and delete all similar runs
-            if self.episode == 0:
-                self.delete_similar_runs()
-
         # construct all timeframe under which hourly values are written to excel and db
         self.start = start
         self.end = end
@@ -217,6 +206,17 @@ def on_ready(self):
                 # this should not wait for the task to finish to block the simulation
             )
 
+        # get episode number if in learning or evaluation mode
+        self.episode = None
+        if self.learning_mode or self.perform_evaluation:
+            episode = self.simulation_id.split("_")[-1]
+            if episode.isdigit():
+                self.episode = int(episode)
+
+            # check if episode=0 and delete all similar runs
+            if self.episode == 0:
+                self.delete_similar_runs()
+
     def handle_output_message(self, content: dict, meta: MetaDict):
         """
         Handles the incoming messages and performs corresponding actions.