diff --git a/kernel_tuner/observers/nvml.py b/kernel_tuner/observers/nvml.py
index c8592e0f..43224d62 100644
--- a/kernel_tuner/observers/nvml.py
+++ b/kernel_tuner/observers/nvml.py
@@ -73,9 +73,9 @@ def __init__(self, device_id=0, nvidia_smi_fallback="nvidia-smi", use_locked_clo
                 # try to set highest supported clocks
                 mem_clock = self.supported_mem_clocks[0]
                 gr_clock = self.supported_gr_clocks[mem_clock][0]
-                self.set_clocks(mem_clock, gr_clock)
                 self.locked_gr_clock = 0
                 self.locked_mem_clock = 0
+                self.set_clocks(mem_clock, gr_clock)
             except pynvml.NVMLError_NotSupported:
                 # switch to using application clocks
                 self.use_locked_clocks = False