diff --git a/weed/operation/assign_file_id.go b/weed/operation/assign_file_id.go
index 9eac69631..b4d44eccf 100644
--- a/weed/operation/assign_file_id.go
+++ b/weed/operation/assign_file_id.go
@@ -66,6 +66,10 @@ func Assign(masterFn GetMasterFn, grpcDialOption grpc.DialOption, primaryRequest
 				return grpcErr
 			}
 
+			if resp.Error != "" {
+				return fmt.Errorf("assignRequest: %v", resp.Error)
+			}
+
 			ret.Count = resp.Count
 			ret.Fid = resp.Fid
 			ret.Url = resp.Location.Url
@@ -80,10 +84,6 @@ func Assign(masterFn GetMasterFn, grpcDialOption grpc.DialOption, primaryRequest
 				})
 			}
 
-			if resp.Error != "" {
-				return fmt.Errorf("assignRequest: %v", resp.Error)
-			}
-
 			return nil
 
 		})