diff --git a/lib/isc/task.c b/lib/isc/task.c
index 2cfe953b33..6f075ebdf7 100644
--- a/lib/isc/task.c
+++ b/lib/isc/task.c
@@ -210,11 +210,11 @@ isc_task_create_bound(isc_taskmgr_t *manager, unsigned int quantum,
 	REQUIRE(VALID_MANAGER(manager));
 	REQUIRE(taskp != NULL && *taskp == NULL);
 
-	XTRACE("isc_task_create");
-
 	task = isc_mem_get(manager->mctx, sizeof(*task));
 	*task = (isc_task_t){ 0 };
 
+	XTRACE("isc_task_create");
+
 	isc_taskmgr_attach(manager, &task->manager);
 
 	if (threadid == -1) {