diff --git a/util/romcc/romcc.c b/util/romcc/romcc.c
index 9a9016741f..655e6f5ed1 100644
--- a/util/romcc/romcc.c
+++ b/util/romcc/romcc.c
@@ -6287,10 +6287,10 @@ static size_t field_reg_offset(struct compile_state *state,
 		internal_error(state, 0, "field_reg_offset only works on structures and unions");
 	}
 
-	size += reg_needed_padding(state, member, size);
 	if (!member || (member->field_ident != field)) {
 		error(state, 0, "member %s not present", field->name);
 	}
+	size += reg_needed_padding(state, member, size);
 	return size;
 }