diff --git a/sys/kern/kern_exec.c b/sys/kern/kern_exec.c
index 155cfec4d82..8cfeb74d997 100644
--- a/sys/kern/kern_exec.c
+++ b/sys/kern/kern_exec.c
@@ -412,10 +412,6 @@ interpret:
 	/* clear "fork but no exec" flag, as we _are_ execing */
 	p->p_acflag &= ~AFORK;
 
-	/* Set values passed into the program in registers. */
-	setregs(td, imgp->entry_addr, (u_long)(uintptr_t)stack_base,
-	    imgp->ps_strings);
-
 	/* Free any previous argument cache */
 	pa = p->p_args;
 	p->p_args = NULL;
@@ -423,6 +419,10 @@ interpret:
 	if (pa != NULL && --pa->ar_ref == 0)
 		FREE(pa, M_PARGS);
 
+	/* Set values passed into the program in registers. */
+	setregs(td, imgp->entry_addr, (u_long)(uintptr_t)stack_base,
+	    imgp->ps_strings);
+
 	/* Cache arguments if they fit inside our allowance */
 	i = imgp->endargs - imgp->stringbase;
 	if (ps_arg_cache_limit >= i + sizeof(struct pargs)) {