diff --git a/include/armadillo_bits/wall_clock_meat.hpp b/include/armadillo_bits/wall_clock_meat.hpp
index 9f6459ab..1e2eebf5 100644
--- a/include/armadillo_bits/wall_clock_meat.hpp
+++ b/include/armadillo_bits/wall_clock_meat.hpp
@@ -44,9 +44,9 @@ wall_clock::tic()
   {
   arma_debug_sigprint();
   
-  chrono_time1 = std::chrono::steady_clock::now();
-  
   valid = true;
+  
+  chrono_time1 = std::chrono::steady_clock::now();
   }