diff --git a/files/views/categories.py b/files/views/categories.py
index 0da755ad..2866c355 100644
--- a/files/views/categories.py
+++ b/files/views/categories.py
@@ -71,6 +71,11 @@ class CategoryListContributor(APIView):
         # Get global/public categories (non-RBAC)
         public_categories = Category.objects.filter(is_rbac_category=False).prefetch_related("user")
 
+        # Filter for LMS courses only if requested
+        lms_courses_only = request.GET.get('lms_courses_only', '').lower() in ['true', '1', 'yes']
+        if lms_courses_only:
+            categories = categories.filter(is_lms_course=True)
+
         # Get RBAC categories where user has contributor access
         if getattr(settings, 'USE_RBAC', False):
             rbac_categories = request.user.get_rbac_categories_as_contributor()
@@ -78,11 +83,6 @@ class CategoryListContributor(APIView):
         else:
             categories = public_categories
 
-        # Filter for LMS courses only if requested
-        lms_courses_only = request.GET.get('lms_courses_only', '').lower() in ['true', '1', 'yes']
-        if lms_courses_only:
-            categories = categories.filter(is_lms_course=True)
-
         categories = categories.order_by("title")
 
         serializer = CategorySerializer(categories, many=True, context={"request": request})