diff --git a/datapath/conntrack.c b/datapath/conntrack.c
index a7dc9e0c351..52208bad302 100644
--- a/datapath/conntrack.c
+++ b/datapath/conntrack.c
@@ -1691,10 +1691,6 @@ int ovs_ct_copy_action(struct net *net, const struct nlattr *attr,
 		OVS_NLERR(log, "Failed to allocate conntrack template");
 		return -ENOMEM;
 	}
-
-	__set_bit(IPS_CONFIRMED_BIT, &ct_info.ct->status);
-	nf_conntrack_get(&ct_info.ct->ct_general);
-
 	if (helper) {
 		err = ovs_ct_add_helper(&ct_info, helper, key, log);
 		if (err)
@@ -1706,6 +1702,8 @@ int ovs_ct_copy_action(struct net *net, const struct nlattr *attr,
 	if (err)
 		goto err_free_ct;
 
+	__set_bit(IPS_CONFIRMED_BIT, &ct_info.ct->status);
+	nf_conntrack_get(&ct_info.ct->ct_general);
 	return 0;
 err_free_ct:
 	__ovs_ct_free_action(&ct_info);