diff --git a/drivers/gpu/drm/nouveau/nouveau_gem.c b/drivers/gpu/drm/nouveau/nouveau_gem.c
index 8bf695c52f95..9fcfcb2a020c 100644
--- a/drivers/gpu/drm/nouveau/nouveau_gem.c
+++ b/drivers/gpu/drm/nouveau/nouveau_gem.c
@@ -321,8 +321,8 @@ validate_init(struct nouveau_channel *chan, struct drm_file *file_priv,
 	int trycnt = 0;
 	int ret, i;
 
-	sequence = atomic_add_return(1, &drm->ttm.validate_sequence);
 retry:
+	sequence = atomic_add_return(1, &drm->ttm.validate_sequence);
 	if (++trycnt > 100000) {
 		NV_ERROR(drm, "%s failed and gave up.\n", __func__);
 		return -EINVAL;