diff --git a/kernel/watchdog_hld.c b/kernel/watchdog_hld.c
index 4ece6028007a..4c2cd69013a6 100644
--- a/kernel/watchdog_hld.c
+++ b/kernel/watchdog_hld.c
@@ -114,14 +114,14 @@ static void watchdog_overflow_callback(struct perf_event *event,
 	/* Ensure the watchdog never gets throttled */
 	event->hw.interrupts = 0;
 
+	if (!watchdog_check_timestamp())
+		return;
+
 	if (__this_cpu_read(watchdog_nmi_touch) == true) {
 		__this_cpu_write(watchdog_nmi_touch, false);
 		return;
 	}
 
-	if (!watchdog_check_timestamp())
-		return;
-
 	/* check for a hardlockup
 	 * This is done by making sure our timer interrupt
 	 * is incrementing.  The timer interrupt should have