diff --git a/lnd.go b/lnd.go
index d1461511..250d8240 100644
--- a/lnd.go
+++ b/lnd.go
@@ -203,10 +203,10 @@ func Main() error {
 		neutrinoBackend, neutrinoCleanUp, err := initNeutrinoBackend(
 			mainChain.ChainDir,
 		)
-		defer neutrinoCleanUp()
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
+		defer neutrinoCleanUp()
 		neutrinoCS = neutrinoBackend
 	}