diff --git a/hw/xwin/InitOutput.c b/hw/xwin/InitOutput.c
index 9413350e6..04015cd3e 100644
--- a/hw/xwin/InitOutput.c
+++ b/hw/xwin/InitOutput.c
@@ -271,10 +271,10 @@ ddxGiveUp(enum ExitCode error)
     PostQuitMessage(0);
 
     {
-        winDebug("ddxGiveUp - Releasing termination mutex\n");
-
         int iReturn = pthread_mutex_unlock(&g_pmTerminating);
 
+        winDebug("ddxGiveUp - Releasing termination mutex\n");
+
         if (iReturn != 0) {
             ErrorF("winMsgWindowProc - pthread_mutex_unlock () failed: %d\n",
                    iReturn);