diff --git a/examples/ping/protocol.go b/examples/ping/protocol.go
index afa7c84..bc873c0 100644
--- a/examples/ping/protocol.go
+++ b/examples/ping/protocol.go
@@ -125,8 +125,8 @@ func(this *MessagePong) Decode(decoder *tape.Decoder) (n int, err error) {
 // Use a type switch to determine what type of message it is.
 func Receive(trans hopp.Trans) (message any, n int, err error) {
 	method, reader, err := trans.ReceiveReader()
-	decoder := tape.NewDecoder(reader)
 	if err != nil { return nil, n, err }
+	decoder := tape.NewDecoder(reader)
 	switch method {
 	case 0x0000:
 		var message MessagePing