diff --git a/docs/hazmat/primitives/asymmetric/ec.rst b/docs/hazmat/primitives/asymmetric/ec.rst
index 323f4c3..01671d4 100644
--- a/docs/hazmat/primitives/asymmetric/ec.rst
+++ b/docs/hazmat/primitives/asymmetric/ec.rst
@@ -126,9 +126,9 @@
 ---------------
 
 Elliptic curves provide equivalent security at much smaller key sizes than
-asymmetric cryptography systems such as RSA or DSA. For some operations they
-can also provide higher performance at every security level. According to NIST
-they can have as much as a `64x lower computational cost than DH`_.
+other asymmetric cryptography systems such as RSA or DSA. For many operations
+elliptic curves are also significantly faster; `elliptic curve diffie-hellman
+is faster than diffie-hellman`_.
 
 .. note::
     Curves with a size of `less than 224 bits`_ should not be used. You should
@@ -421,7 +421,7 @@
 .. _`FIPS 186-4`: http://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/FIPS/NIST.FIPS.186-4.pdf
 .. _`some concern`: https://crypto.stackexchange.com/questions/10263/should-we-trust-the-nist-recommended-ecc-parameters
 .. _`less than 224 bits`: http://www.ecrypt.eu.org/ecrypt2/documents/D.SPA.20.pdf
-.. _`64x lower computational cost than DH`: https://www.nsa.gov/business/programs/elliptic_curve.shtml
+.. _`elliptic curve diffie-hellman is faster than diffie-hellman`: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1100&context=cseconfwork
 .. _`minimize the number of security concerns for elliptic-curve cryptography`: http://cr.yp.to/ecdh/curve25519-20060209.pdf
 .. _`SafeCurves`: http://safecurves.cr.yp.to/
 .. _`ECDSA`: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ECDSA
diff --git a/src/cryptography/hazmat/backends/openssl/backend.py b/src/cryptography/hazmat/backends/openssl/backend.py
index 8c4abcd..197bcb8 100644
--- a/src/cryptography/hazmat/backends/openssl/backend.py
+++ b/src/cryptography/hazmat/backends/openssl/backend.py
@@ -529,13 +529,6 @@
 
         self._binding.init_static_locks()
 
-        # adds all ciphers/digests for EVP
-        self._lib.OpenSSL_add_all_algorithms()
-        # registers available SSL/TLS ciphers and digests
-        self._lib.SSL_library_init()
-        # loads error strings for libcrypto and libssl functions
-        self._lib.SSL_load_error_strings()
-
         self._cipher_registry = {}
         self._register_default_ciphers()
         self.activate_osrandom_engine()
diff --git a/src/cryptography/hazmat/bindings/openssl/binding.py b/src/cryptography/hazmat/bindings/openssl/binding.py
index e18d89c..50d7f6d 100644
--- a/src/cryptography/hazmat/bindings/openssl/binding.py
+++ b/src/cryptography/hazmat/bindings/openssl/binding.py
@@ -92,6 +92,12 @@
             if not cls._lib_loaded:
                 cls.lib = build_conditional_library(lib, CONDITIONAL_NAMES)
                 cls._lib_loaded = True
+                # initialize the SSL library
+                cls.lib.SSL_library_init()
+                # adds all ciphers/digests for EVP
+                cls.lib.OpenSSL_add_all_algorithms()
+                # loads error strings for libcrypto and libssl functions
+                cls.lib.SSL_load_error_strings()
                 cls._register_osrandom_engine()
 
     @classmethod