diff --git a/src/qemu/qemu_cgroup.c b/src/qemu/qemu_cgroup.c
index eba1e73e98..1298924613 100644
--- a/src/qemu/qemu_cgroup.c
+++ b/src/qemu/qemu_cgroup.c
@@ -48,10 +48,10 @@ bool qemuCgroupControllerActive(struct qemud_driver *driver,
 {
     if (driver->cgroup == NULL)
         return false;
-    if (!virCgroupMounted(driver->cgroup, controller))
-        return false;
     if (controller < 0 || controller >= VIR_CGROUP_CONTROLLER_LAST)
         return false;
+    if (!virCgroupMounted(driver->cgroup, controller))
+        return false;
     if (driver->cgroupControllers & (1 << controller))
         return true;
     return false;