diff --git a/src/emqx_app.erl b/src/emqx_app.erl
index 61e30b8c9..5a55a1abd 100644
--- a/src/emqx_app.erl
+++ b/src/emqx_app.erl
@@ -105,13 +105,22 @@ set_special_auth_module() ->
         Mod ->
             case erlang:function_exported(Mod, check_authn, 2) of
                 true ->
+                    Priority = authn_module_priority(Mod),
                     persistent_term:put(special_auth_module, Mod),
-                    emqx:hook('client.authenticate', fun Mod:check_authn/2, []);
+                    emqx:hook('client.authenticate', fun Mod:check_authn/2, Priority);
                 false ->
                     ok
             end
     end.
 
+authn_module_priority(Mod) ->
+    try
+        Mod:authn_priority()
+    catch
+        _:_ ->
+            10_000
+    end.
+
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