diff --git a/lib/dns/request.c b/lib/dns/request.c
index 1103bea49f..8f53d37812 100644
--- a/lib/dns/request.c
+++ b/lib/dns/request.c
@@ -1057,6 +1057,8 @@ req_response(isc_result_t result, isc_region_t *region, void *arg) {
 	req_log(ISC_LOG_DEBUG(3), "req_response: request %p: %s", request,
 		isc_result_totext(result));
 
+	REQUIRE(VALID_REQUEST(request));
+
 	if (result == ISC_R_TIMEDOUT) {
 		LOCK(&request->requestmgr->locks[request->hash]);
 		if (request->udpcount > 1) {
@@ -1074,8 +1076,6 @@ req_response(isc_result_t result, isc_region_t *region, void *arg) {
 		goto done;
 	}
 
-	REQUIRE(VALID_REQUEST(request));
-
 	LOCK(&request->requestmgr->locks[request->hash]);
 
 	if (result != ISC_R_SUCCESS) {