diff --git a/evdns.c b/evdns.c
index 5ec6a060..fdffbd70 100644
--- a/evdns.c
+++ b/evdns.c
@@ -2170,12 +2170,6 @@ evdns_request_timeout_callback(evutil_socket_t fd, short events, void *arg) {
 	log(EVDNS_LOG_DEBUG, "Request %p timed out", arg);
 	EVDNS_LOCK(base);
 
-	req->ns->timedout++;
-	if (req->ns->timedout > req->base->global_max_nameserver_timeout) {
-		req->ns->timedout = 0;
-		nameserver_failed(req->ns, "request timed out.");
-	}
-
 	if (req->tx_count >= req->base->global_max_retransmits) {
 		/* this request has failed */
 		log(EVDNS_LOG_DEBUG, "Giving up on request %p; tx_count==%d",
@@ -2190,6 +2184,13 @@ evdns_request_timeout_callback(evutil_socket_t fd, short events, void *arg) {
 		request_swap_ns(req, nameserver_pick(base));
 		evdns_request_transmit(req);
 	}
+
+	req->ns->timedout++;
+	if (req->ns->timedout > req->base->global_max_nameserver_timeout) {
+		req->ns->timedout = 0;
+		nameserver_failed(req->ns, "request timed out.");
+	}
+
 	EVDNS_UNLOCK(base);
 }