diff --git a/lib/libedit/term.c b/lib/libedit/term.c
index 83813a5ff60b..03cd4c444536 100644
--- a/lib/libedit/term.c
+++ b/lib/libedit/term.c
@@ -338,9 +338,9 @@ term_init(EditLine *el)
 		return (-1);
 	(void) memset(el->el_term.t_val, 0, T_val * sizeof(int));
 	term_outfile = el->el_outfile;
+	term_init_arrow(el);
 	if (term_set(el, NULL) == -1)
 		return (-1);
-	term_init_arrow(el);
 	return (0);
 }
 /* term_end():