diff --git a/sdr_rtlsdr.c b/sdr_rtlsdr.c
index b818815..8b906c5 100644
--- a/sdr_rtlsdr.c
+++ b/sdr_rtlsdr.c
@@ -223,10 +223,10 @@ bool rtlsdrOpen(void) {
             if (closest == -1 || abs(gains[i] - target) < abs(gains[closest] - target))
                 closest = i;
         }
-
+        
+        rtlsdr_set_tuner_gain(RTLSDR.dev, gains[closest]);
         free(gains);
 
-        rtlsdr_set_tuner_gain(RTLSDR.dev, gains[closest]);
         fprintf(stderr, "rtlsdr: tuner gain set to %.1f dB\n",
                 rtlsdr_get_tuner_gain(RTLSDR.dev)/10.0);
     }