diff --git a/plugins/relay.py b/plugins/relay.py
index fe5d870..20fcb6c 100644
--- a/plugins/relay.py
+++ b/plugins/relay.py
@@ -2243,6 +2243,7 @@ def link(irc, source, args):
 
     If the --force option is given, this command will bypass checks for TS and whether the target
     network is alive, and link the channel anyways."""
+
     args = link_parser.parse_args(args)
 
     # Normalize channel case
@@ -2259,6 +2260,8 @@ def link(irc, source, args):
         irc.error('Cannot link two channels on the same network.')
         return
 
+    permissions.check_permissions(irc, source, ['relay.link'])
+
     if localchan not in irc.channels or source not in irc.channels[localchan].users:
         # Caller is not in the requested channel.
         log.debug('(%s) Source not in channel %s; protoname=%s', irc.name, localchan, irc.protoname)
@@ -2280,8 +2283,6 @@ def link(irc, source, args):
             irc.error('You must be opped in %r to complete this operation.' % localchan)
         return
 
-    permissions.check_permissions(irc, source, ['relay.link'])
-
     if remotenet not in world.networkobjects:
         irc.error('No network named %r exists.' % remotenet)
         return