diff --git a/nasm.c b/nasm.c
index 5fa3ebbb..6b7ca4c3 100644
--- a/nasm.c
+++ b/nasm.c
@@ -158,6 +158,8 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     want_usage = terminate_after_phase = FALSE;
     report_error = report_error_gnu;
 
+    error_file = stderr;
+
     nasm_set_malloc_error(report_error);
     offsets = raa_init();
     forwrefs = saa_init((int32_t)sizeof(struct forwrefinfo));
@@ -165,8 +167,6 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     preproc = &nasmpp;
     operating_mode = op_normal;
 
-    error_file = stderr;
-
     seg_init();
 
     register_output_formats();