diff --git a/src/sample.c b/src/sample.c
index 835a18115..0c0f36ec5 100644
--- a/src/sample.c
+++ b/src/sample.c
@@ -2561,13 +2561,13 @@ found:
 	if (!smp->data.u.str.data)
 		return 1;
 
-	smp->data.u.str.area = start;
-
 	/* Compute remaining size if needed
            Note: smp->data.u.str.size cannot be set to 0 */
 	if (smp->data.u.str.size)
 		smp->data.u.str.size -= start - smp->data.u.str.area;
 
+	smp->data.u.str.area = start;
+
 	return 1;
 }