diff --git a/src/util/command.c b/src/util/command.c
index 1a225082ce..ba43078450 100644
--- a/src/util/command.c
+++ b/src/util/command.c
@@ -492,6 +492,10 @@ virExecWithHook(const char *const*argv,
     }
 
     if (pid) { /* parent */
+        if (forkRet < 0) {
+            goto cleanup;
+        }
+
         VIR_FORCE_CLOSE(null);
         if (outfd && *outfd == -1) {
             VIR_FORCE_CLOSE(pipeout[1]);
@@ -502,10 +506,6 @@ virExecWithHook(const char *const*argv,
             *errfd = pipeerr[0];
         }
 
-        if (forkRet < 0) {
-            goto cleanup;
-        }
-
         *retpid = pid;
 
         if (binary != argv[0])