diff --git a/kenwood/xg3.c b/kenwood/xg3.c
index a233063f2..73e596f15 100644
--- a/kenwood/xg3.c
+++ b/kenwood/xg3.c
@@ -511,20 +511,21 @@ int xg3_get_powerstat(RIG *rig, powerstat_t *status)
     struct rig_state *rs = &rig->state;
     struct xg3_priv_data *priv = (struct xg3_priv_data *)rig->state.priv;
 
-    retval = read_string(&rs->rigport, reply, sizeof(reply), ";", 1);
     rig_debug(RIG_DEBUG_VERBOSE, "%s called\n", __func__);
 
-    if (retval != RIG_OK)
+    if (retval == RIG_OK)
+    {
+        retval = read_string(&rs->rigport, reply, sizeof(reply), ";", 1);
+        *status = RIG_POWER_ON;
+        priv->powerstat = RIG_POWER_ON;
+    }
+
+    else if (retval != RIG_OK)
     {
         *status = RIG_POWER_OFF;    // Error indicates power is off
         rig_debug(RIG_DEBUG_VERBOSE, "%s read_string failed\n", __func__);
         priv->powerstat = RIG_POWER_OFF;
     }
-    else
-    {
-        *status = RIG_POWER_ON;
-        priv->powerstat = RIG_POWER_ON;
-    }
 
     return RIG_OK;              // Always OK since it's a binary state
 }