diff --git a/backends/smt2/smtio.py b/backends/smt2/smtio.py
index 1d5c89d8e..5c46da4e7 100644
--- a/backends/smt2/smtio.py
+++ b/backends/smt2/smtio.py
@@ -646,12 +646,13 @@ class SmtIo:
                     sys.stderr.flush()
 
         result = self.read()
-        assert result in ["sat", "unsat"]
 
         if self.debug_file:
             print("(set-info :status %s)" % result, file=self.debug_file)
             print("(check-sat)", file=self.debug_file)
             self.debug_file.flush()
+
+        assert result in ["sat", "unsat"]
         return result
 
     def parse(self, stmt):