diff --git a/src/api.c b/src/api.c
index d131ca1..f9f3ceb 100644
--- a/src/api.c
+++ b/src/api.c
@@ -964,6 +964,12 @@
 		return spci_error(SPCI_INVALID_PARAMETERS);
 	}
 
+	/* Ensure the receiver VM exists. */
+	to = vm_find(receiver_vm_id);
+	if (to == NULL) {
+		return spci_error(SPCI_INVALID_PARAMETERS);
+	}
+
 	/*
 	 * Check that the sender has configured its send buffer. If the tx
 	 * mailbox at from_msg is configured (i.e. from_msg != NULL) then it can
@@ -978,12 +984,6 @@
 		return spci_error(SPCI_INVALID_PARAMETERS);
 	}
 
-	/* Ensure the receiver VM exists. */
-	to = vm_find(receiver_vm_id);
-	if (to == NULL) {
-		return spci_error(SPCI_INVALID_PARAMETERS);
-	}
-
 	/*
 	 * Hafnium needs to hold the lock on <to> before the mailbox state is
 	 * checked. The lock on <to> must be held until the information is