diff --git a/src/core/qgsdistancearea.cpp b/src/core/qgsdistancearea.cpp
index 72a96f02976..f0751527bb1 100644
--- a/src/core/qgsdistancearea.cpp
+++ b/src/core/qgsdistancearea.cpp
@@ -232,10 +232,11 @@ bool QgsDistanceArea::setEllipsoid( const QString& ellipsoid )
   // set transformation from project CRS to ellipsoid coordinates
   mCoordTransform->setDestCRS( destCRS );
 
+  mEllipsoid = ellipsoid;
+
   // precalculate some values for area calculations
   computeAreaInit();
 
-  mEllipsoid = ellipsoid;
   return true;
 }