diff --git a/clutter/clutter-drag-action.c b/clutter/clutter-drag-action.c
index 0b1dce2c4..5c55408a2 100644
--- a/clutter/clutter-drag-action.c
+++ b/clutter/clutter-drag-action.c
@@ -134,7 +134,6 @@ emit_drag_begin (ClutterDragAction *action,
 {
   ClutterDragActionPrivate *priv = action->priv;
 
-  priv->motion_events_enabled = clutter_get_motion_events_enabled ();
   clutter_set_motion_events_enabled (FALSE);
 
   g_signal_emit (action, drag_signals[DRAG_BEGIN], 0,
@@ -310,6 +309,8 @@ on_button_press (ClutterActor      *actor,
                                        &priv->transformed_press_x,
                                        &priv->transformed_press_y);
 
+  priv->motion_events_enabled = clutter_get_motion_events_enabled ();
+
   if (priv->x_drag_threshold == 0 || priv->y_drag_threshold == 0)
     emit_drag_begin (action, actor, event);
   else