diff --git a/lib/des/rsa.c b/lib/des/rsa.c
index 77d401fd8..38caee330 100644
--- a/lib/des/rsa.c
+++ b/lib/des/rsa.c
@@ -98,11 +98,11 @@ RSA_free(RSA *rsa)
     if (--rsa->references > 0)
 	return;
 
+    (*rsa->meth->finish)(rsa);
+
     if (rsa->engine)
 	ENGINE_finish(rsa->engine);
 
-    (*rsa->meth->finish)(rsa);
-
 #define free_if(f) if (f) { BN_free(f); }
     free_if(rsa->n);
     free_if(rsa->e);