diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0d0a236..f4d979e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -310,6 +310,7 @@ Changes
 
 #### v0.2.2 (current development version)
 
+- fix grid initialization
 - add `cell_height`/`cell_width` API methods
 - fix boolean attributes (issue #31)
 
diff --git a/src/gridstack.js b/src/gridstack.js
index 5783e88..9ff5044 100644
--- a/src/gridstack.js
+++ b/src/gridstack.js
@@ -352,8 +352,16 @@
         }, this.opts.float, this.opts.height);
 
         if (this.opts.auto) {
+            var elements = [];
             this.container.find('.' + this.opts.item_class).each(function (index, el) {
-                self._prepare_element(el);
+                el = $(el);
+                elements.push({
+                    el: el,
+                    i: parseInt(el.attr('data-gs-x')) + parseInt(el.attr('data-gs-y')) * parseInt(el.attr('data-gs-width'))
+                });
+            });
+            _.chain(elements).sortBy(function (x) { return x.i; }).each(function (i) {
+                self._prepare_element(i.el);
             });
         }