diff --git a/builtin-pack-objects.c b/builtin-pack-objects.c
index 4004e73..b0dddbe 100644
--- a/builtin-pack-objects.c
+++ b/builtin-pack-objects.c
@@ -1377,7 +1377,7 @@
 	memset(array, 0, array_size);
 
 	for (;;) {
-		struct object_entry *entry = *list++;
+		struct object_entry *entry;
 		struct unpacked *n = array + idx;
 		int j, max_depth, best_base = -1;
 
@@ -1386,6 +1386,7 @@
 			progress_unlock();
 			break;
 		}
+		entry = *list++;
 		(*list_size)--;
 		if (!entry->preferred_base) {
 			(*processed)++;