diff --git a/python/completers/cpp/flags.py b/python/completers/cpp/flags.py
index 9dc857c6..16b4c75d 100644
--- a/python/completers/cpp/flags.py
+++ b/python/completers/cpp/flags.py
@@ -75,9 +75,9 @@ class Flags( object ):
         flags_module = self.flags_module_for_flags_module_file[
           flags_module_file ]
       except KeyError:
-        sys.path.append( _DirectoryOfThisScript() )
+        sys.path.insert( 0, _DirectoryOfThisScript() )
         flags_module = imp.load_source( _RandomName(), flags_module_file )
-        del sys.path[ -1 ]
+        del sys.path[ 0 ]
 
         self.flags_module_for_flags_module_file[
           flags_module_file ] = flags_module
diff --git a/python/ycm.py b/python/ycm.py
index a787fa51..c29494a7 100644
--- a/python/ycm.py
+++ b/python/ycm.py
@@ -73,9 +73,9 @@ class YouCompleteMe( object ):
     supported_filetypes = [ filetype ]
     if os.path.exists( module_path ):
 
-      sys.path.append( os.path.dirname( module_path ) )
+      sys.path.insert( 0, os.path.dirname( module_path ) )
       module = imp.load_source( filetype, module_path )
-      del sys.path[ -1 ]
+      del sys.path[ 0 ]
 
       completer = module.GetCompleter()
       if completer: