diff --git a/src/autocmd.c b/src/autocmd.c
index 71aeb50..841da14 100644
--- a/src/autocmd.c
+++ b/src/autocmd.c
@@ -3062,6 +3062,8 @@
     char_u	*name = NULL;
     int		group = AUGROUP_ALL;
 
+    if (rettv_list_alloc(rettv) == FAIL)
+	return;
     if (check_for_opt_dict_arg(argvars, 0) == FAIL)
 	return;
 
@@ -3128,8 +3130,6 @@
 	}
     }
 
-    if (rettv_list_alloc(rettv) == FAIL)
-	return;
     event_list = rettv->vval.v_list;
 
     // iterate through all the autocmd events