diff --git a/src/libstore/local-store.cc b/src/libstore/local-store.cc
index e66042c57..7d78ab7ec 100644
--- a/src/libstore/local-store.cc
+++ b/src/libstore/local-store.cc
@@ -1486,6 +1486,8 @@ void LocalStore::exportPath(const Path & path, bool sign,
 {
     assertStorePath(path);
 
+    printMsg(lvlInfo, format("exporting path `%1%'") % path);
+
     addTempRoot(path);
     if (!isValidPath(path))
         throw Error(format("path `%1%' is not valid") % path);
@@ -1596,8 +1598,6 @@ Path LocalStore::importPath(bool requireSignature, Source & source)
 
     Path dstPath = readStorePath(hashAndReadSource);
 
-    printMsg(lvlInfo, format("importing path `%1%'") % dstPath);
-
     PathSet references = readStorePaths<PathSet>(hashAndReadSource);
 
     Path deriver = readString(hashAndReadSource);