diff --git a/src/nm-manager.c b/src/nm-manager.c
index 2636cc4b93..1c946ec41a 100644
--- a/src/nm-manager.c
+++ b/src/nm-manager.c
@@ -1656,6 +1656,10 @@ recheck_assume_connection (NMDevice *device, gpointer user_data)
 	if (nm_device_get_unmanaged_flag (device, NM_UNMANAGED_USER))
 		return FALSE;
 
+	state = nm_device_get_state (device);
+	if (state > NM_DEVICE_STATE_DISCONNECTED)
+		return FALSE;
+
 	connection = get_existing_connection (self, device, &generated);
 	if (!connection) {
 		nm_log_dbg (LOGD_DEVICE, "(%s): can't assume; no connection",
@@ -1663,11 +1667,6 @@ recheck_assume_connection (NMDevice *device, gpointer user_data)
 		return FALSE;
 	}
 
-	state = nm_device_get_state (device);
-
-	if (state > NM_DEVICE_STATE_DISCONNECTED)
-		return FALSE;
-
 	if (state == NM_DEVICE_STATE_UNMANAGED) {
 		was_unmanaged = TRUE;
 		nm_device_state_changed (device,