diff --git a/clutter/clutter-alpha.c b/clutter/clutter-alpha.c
index 2114fe38e..e1c6966e9 100644
--- a/clutter/clutter-alpha.c
+++ b/clutter/clutter-alpha.c
@@ -565,13 +565,13 @@ clutter_alpha_set_mode (ClutterAlpha      *alpha,
 
   priv = alpha->priv;
 
-  priv->mode = mode;
-
   /* sanity check to avoid getting an out of sync enum/function mapping */
   g_assert (animation_modes[mode].mode == mode);
   if (G_LIKELY (animation_modes[mode].func != NULL))
     clutter_alpha_set_func (alpha, animation_modes[mode].func, NULL, NULL);
 
+  priv->mode = mode;
+
   g_object_notify (G_OBJECT (alpha), "mode");
 }