diff --git a/crypto/bn/bn_prime.c b/crypto/bn/bn_prime.c
index 918b9237c..e072d9255 100644
--- a/crypto/bn/bn_prime.c
+++ b/crypto/bn/bn_prime.c
@@ -140,6 +140,7 @@ BIGNUM *BN_generate_prime(BIGNUM *ret, int bits, int safe,
 	BN_CTX *ctx;
 	int checks = BN_prime_checks_for_size(bits);
 
+	BN_init(&t);
 	ctx=BN_CTX_new();
 	if (ctx == NULL) goto err;
 	if (ret == NULL)
@@ -148,7 +149,6 @@ BIGNUM *BN_generate_prime(BIGNUM *ret, int bits, int safe,
 		}
 	else
 		rnd=ret;
-	BN_init(&t);
 loop: 
 	/* make a random number and set the top and bottom bits */
 	if (add == NULL)