diff --git a/lix/nix/main.cc b/lix/nix/main.cc
index dbe57e80e..a47fb8eec 100644
--- a/lix/nix/main.cc
+++ b/lix/nix/main.cc
@@ -584,6 +584,8 @@ void mainWrapped(AsyncIoRoot & aio, int argc, char * * argv)
         if (!args.helpRequested && !args.completions) throw;
     }
 
+    if (args.completions) return;
+
     if (args.helpRequested) {
         std::vector<std::string> subcommand;
         MultiCommand * command = &args;
@@ -598,8 +600,6 @@ void mainWrapped(AsyncIoRoot & aio, int argc, char * * argv)
         return;
     }
 
-    if (args.completions) return;
-
     if (args.showVersion) {
         printVersion(programName);
         return;