diff --git a/libraries/tools/kotlin-gradle-plugin/src/main/kotlin/org/jetbrains/kotlin/gradle/tasks/KotlinJsDce.kt b/libraries/tools/kotlin-gradle-plugin/src/main/kotlin/org/jetbrains/kotlin/gradle/tasks/KotlinJsDce.kt
index f22d2d3353e..cce4fd6ed50 100644
--- a/libraries/tools/kotlin-gradle-plugin/src/main/kotlin/org/jetbrains/kotlin/gradle/tasks/KotlinJsDce.kt
+++ b/libraries/tools/kotlin-gradle-plugin/src/main/kotlin/org/jetbrains/kotlin/gradle/tasks/KotlinJsDce.kt
@@ -92,6 +92,7 @@ abstract class KotlinJsDce : AbstractKotlinCompileTool<K2JSDceArguments>(), Kotl
 
     @TaskAction
     fun performDce(inputChanges: InputChanges) {
+        validateCompilerClasspath()
         // in case of explicit `all` strategy do not perform incremental copy
         val shouldPerformIncrementalCopy = isDevMode && !isExplicitDevModeAllStrategy
 
diff --git a/libraries/tools/kotlin-gradle-plugin/src/main/kotlin/org/jetbrains/kotlin/gradle/tasks/Tasks.kt b/libraries/tools/kotlin-gradle-plugin/src/main/kotlin/org/jetbrains/kotlin/gradle/tasks/Tasks.kt
index 14ce845d132..afb77aa754d 100644
--- a/libraries/tools/kotlin-gradle-plugin/src/main/kotlin/org/jetbrains/kotlin/gradle/tasks/Tasks.kt
+++ b/libraries/tools/kotlin-gradle-plugin/src/main/kotlin/org/jetbrains/kotlin/gradle/tasks/Tasks.kt
@@ -106,11 +106,10 @@ abstract class AbstractKotlinCompileTool<T : CommonToolArguments>
     internal val defaultCompilerClasspath: ConfigurableFileCollection =
         project.objects.fileCollection()
 
-    init {
-        this.doFirst {
-            require(!defaultCompilerClasspath.isEmpty) {
-                "Default Kotlin compiler classpath is empty! Task: $path (${this::class.qualifiedName})"
-            }
+    protected fun validateCompilerClasspath() {
+        // Note that the check triggers configuration resolution
+        require(!defaultCompilerClasspath.isEmpty) {
+            "Default Kotlin compiler classpath is empty! Task: $path (${this::class.qualifiedName})"
         }
     }
 }
@@ -346,6 +345,7 @@ abstract class AbstractKotlinCompile<T : CommonCompilerArguments> : AbstractKotl
         }
         val buildMetrics = metrics.get()
         buildMetrics.measure(BuildTime.GRADLE_TASK_ACTION) {
+            validateCompilerClasspath()
             systemPropertiesService.get().startIntercept()
             CompilerSystemProperties.KOTLIN_COMPILER_ENVIRONMENT_KEEPALIVE_PROPERTY.value = "true"