diff --git a/metaflow/decorators.py b/metaflow/decorators.py
index 760508497f0..47ea16223c1 100644
--- a/metaflow/decorators.py
+++ b/metaflow/decorators.py
@@ -264,13 +264,31 @@ def get_top_level_options(self):
 
 # compare this to parameters.add_custom_parameters
 def add_decorator_options(cmd):
-    flow_cls = getattr(current_flow, "flow_cls", None)
-    if flow_cls is None:
-        return cmd
+    """
+    Lazily adds flow decorator options to a Click command.
+
+    Defers option registration until get_params() is called, ensuring
+    current_flow.flow_cls is set (which happens after module imports complete).
+    """
+    _original_get_params = cmd.get_params
+    _options_added = [False]  # Use list for mutable closure variable
+
+    def _lazy_get_params(ctx):
+        if not _options_added[0]:
+            _options_added[0] = True
+            flow_cls = getattr(current_flow, "flow_cls", None)
+            if flow_cls is not None:
+                _add_flow_decorator_options(cmd, flow_cls)
+        return _original_get_params(ctx)
+
+    cmd.get_params = _lazy_get_params
+    return cmd
+
 
+def _add_flow_decorator_options(cmd, flow_cls):
+    """Helper to add decorator options to a command."""
     seen = {}
     existing_params = set(p.name.lower() for p in cmd.params)
-    # Add decorator options
     for deco in flow_decorators(flow_cls):
         for option, kwargs in deco.options.items():
             if option in seen:
@@ -290,7 +308,6 @@ def add_decorator_options(cmd):
                 kwargs["envvar"] = "METAFLOW_FLOW_%s" % option.upper()
                 seen[option] = deco.name
                 cmd.params.insert(0, click.Option(("--" + option,), **kwargs))
-    return cmd
 
 
 def flow_decorators(flow_cls):
diff --git a/test/unit/test_decorator_cli_options.py b/test/unit/test_decorator_cli_options.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e4af3b726e4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/unit/test_decorator_cli_options.py
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+def test_project_decorator_options_with_early_cli_import():
+    """
+    Test that @project decorator options appear when metaflow.cli is imported early.
+    """
+    from metaflow.cli import echo_always  # noqa: F401
+    from metaflow import FlowSpec, project, step, decorators
+    from metaflow._vendor import click
+    from metaflow.parameters import flow_context
+
+    @project(name="test_project")
+    class TestFlow(FlowSpec):
+        @step
+        def start(self):
+            self.next(self.end)
+
+        @step
+        def end(self):
+            pass
+
+    @click.command()
+    def mock_cmd():
+        pass
+
+    cmd = decorators.add_decorator_options(mock_cmd)
+
+    with flow_context(TestFlow):
+        ctx = click.Context(cmd)
+        params = cmd.get_params(ctx)
+        param_names = [p.name for p in params]
+
+        assert "branch" in param_names
+        assert "production" in param_names