diff --git a/user/externallib.php b/user/externallib.php
index e61b2099d93..0fba109facf 100644
--- a/user/externallib.php
+++ b/user/externallib.php
@@ -137,7 +137,6 @@ class core_user_external extends external_api {
 
             $user['confirmed'] = true;
             $user['mnethostid'] = $CFG->mnet_localhost_id;
-            $user['id'] = user_create_user($user);
 
             // Start of user info validation.
             // Lets make sure we validate current user info as handled by current GUI. see user/editadvanced_form.php function validation()
@@ -148,6 +147,8 @@ class core_user_external extends external_api {
             }
             // End of user info validation.
 
+            // create the user data now!
+            $user['id'] = user_create_user($user);
 
             // custom fields
             if(!empty($user['customfields'])) {