diff --git a/src/were.c b/src/were.c
index 551ad46e6..b38bf0ed0 100644
--- a/src/were.c
+++ b/src/were.c
@@ -202,8 +202,8 @@ you_were(void)
         if (!paranoid_query(ParanoidWerechange, qbuf))
             return;
     }
-    (void) polymon(u.ulycn);
     gw.were_changes++;
+    (void) polymon(u.ulycn);
 }
 
 void