diff --git a/grade/import/csv/index.php b/grade/import/csv/index.php
index 9f6412c363d..c7563c47ca2 100644
--- a/grade/import/csv/index.php
+++ b/grade/import/csv/index.php
@@ -96,14 +96,13 @@ if (!$iid) {
         $iid = csv_import_reader::get_new_iid('grade');
         $csvimport = new csv_import_reader($iid, 'grade');
 
+        $csvimport->load_csv_content($text, $formdata->encoding, $separator);
         if ($error = $csvimport->get_error()) {
             echo $OUTPUT->notification($error);
             echo $OUTPUT->footer();
             die();
         }
 
-        $csvimport->load_csv_content($text, $formdata->encoding, $separator);
-
         // --- get header (field names) ---
         $header = $csvimport->get_columns();