diff --git a/dix/dixutils.c b/dix/dixutils.c
index 470bb5d..e3c9c22 100644
--- a/dix/dixutils.c
+++ b/dix/dixutils.c
@@ -737,6 +737,8 @@ _CallCallbacks(
     CallbackListPtr cbl = *pcbl;
     CallbackPtr     cbr, pcbr;
 
+    if (cbl->inCallback) return;
+
     ++(cbl->inCallback);
     for (cbr = cbl->list; cbr != NULL; cbr = cbr->next)
     {
@@ -744,8 +746,6 @@ _CallCallbacks(
     }
     --(cbl->inCallback);
 
-    if (cbl->inCallback) return;
-
     /* Was the entire list marked for deletion? */
 
     if (cbl->deleted)