diff --git a/src/station.c b/src/station.c
index ee4b76b0..a17d2832 100644
--- a/src/station.c
+++ b/src/station.c
@@ -1933,8 +1933,6 @@ static struct l_dbus_message *station_dbus_scan(struct l_dbus *dbus,
 	if (station->scan_pending)
 		return dbus_error_busy(message);
 
-	station->scan_pending = l_dbus_message_ref(message);
-
 	/*
 	 * If we're not connected and no hidden networks are seen & configured,
 	 * use passive scanning to hide our MAC address
@@ -1960,6 +1958,8 @@ static struct l_dbus_message *station_dbus_scan(struct l_dbus *dbus,
 			return dbus_error_failed(message);
 	}
 
+	station->scan_pending = l_dbus_message_ref(message);
+
 	return NULL;
 }