diff --git a/tests/decperf.cxx b/tests/decperf.cxx
index 6714cb1..1d0c80c 100644
--- a/tests/decperf.cxx
+++ b/tests/decperf.cxx
@@ -145,9 +145,9 @@
   CConn *cc;
   double time;
 
-  cc = new CConn(fn);
-
   try {
+    cc = new CConn(fn);
+
     while (true)
       cc->processMsg();
   } catch (rdr::EndOfStream e) {
diff --git a/tests/encperf.cxx b/tests/encperf.cxx
index 2628b46..bbaa8fb 100644
--- a/tests/encperf.cxx
+++ b/tests/encperf.cxx
@@ -337,9 +337,9 @@
   CConn *cc;
   double time;
 
-  cc = new CConn(fn);
-
   try {
+    cc = new CConn(fn);
+
     while (true)
       cc->processMsg();
   } catch (rdr::EndOfStream e) {