diff --git a/src/monster.cpp b/src/monster.cpp
index 8b7f5235d7f7..4e7b9fec9673 100644
--- a/src/monster.cpp
+++ b/src/monster.cpp
@@ -1394,7 +1394,6 @@ void monster::melee_attack( Creature &target )
 
 void monster::melee_attack( Creature &target, float accuracy )
 {
-    int hitspread = target.deal_melee_attack( this, melee::melee_hit_range( accuracy ) );
     mod_moves( -type->attack_cost );
     if( type->melee_dice == 0 ) {
         // We don't attack, so just return
@@ -1410,6 +1409,8 @@ void monster::melee_attack( Creature &target, float accuracy )
         return;
     }
 
+    int hitspread = target.deal_melee_attack( this, melee::melee_hit_range( accuracy ) );
+
     if( target.is_player() ||
         ( target.is_npc() && g->u.attitude_to( target ) == A_FRIENDLY ) ) {
         // Make us a valid target for a few turns