diff --git a/examples/simple_trainer.py b/examples/simple_trainer.py
index 3e544201..096682c3 100644
--- a/examples/simple_trainer.py
+++ b/examples/simple_trainer.py
@@ -724,27 +724,6 @@ def train(self):
                     data, f"{self.ckpt_dir}/ckpt_{step}_rank{self.world_rank}.pt"
                 )
 
-            if isinstance(self.cfg.strategy, DefaultStrategy):
-                self.cfg.strategy.step_post_backward(
-                    params=self.splats,
-                    optimizers=self.optimizers,
-                    state=self.strategy_state,
-                    step=step,
-                    info=info,
-                    packed=cfg.packed,
-                )
-            elif isinstance(self.cfg.strategy, MCMCStrategy):
-                self.cfg.strategy.step_post_backward(
-                    params=self.splats,
-                    optimizers=self.optimizers,
-                    state=self.strategy_state,
-                    step=step,
-                    info=info,
-                    lr=schedulers[0].get_last_lr()[0],
-                )
-            else:
-                assert_never(self.cfg.strategy)
-
             # Turn Gradients into Sparse Tensor before running optimizer
             if cfg.sparse_grad:
                 assert cfg.packed, "Sparse gradients only work with packed mode."
@@ -776,6 +755,28 @@ def train(self):
             for scheduler in schedulers:
                 scheduler.step()
 
+            # Run post-backward steps after backward and optimizer
+            if isinstance(self.cfg.strategy, DefaultStrategy):
+                self.cfg.strategy.step_post_backward(
+                    params=self.splats,
+                    optimizers=self.optimizers,
+                    state=self.strategy_state,
+                    step=step,
+                    info=info,
+                    packed=cfg.packed,
+                )
+            elif isinstance(self.cfg.strategy, MCMCStrategy):
+                self.cfg.strategy.step_post_backward(
+                    params=self.splats,
+                    optimizers=self.optimizers,
+                    state=self.strategy_state,
+                    step=step,
+                    info=info,
+                    lr=schedulers[0].get_last_lr()[0],
+                )
+            else:
+                assert_never(self.cfg.strategy)
+
             # eval the full set
             if step in [i - 1 for i in cfg.eval_steps]:
                 self.eval(step)