diff --git a/lib/api/api.c b/lib/api/api.c
index dc619f2..7a35d69 100644
--- a/lib/api/api.c
+++ b/lib/api/api.c
@@ -837,16 +837,16 @@ int lockFile(const char* pathname) {
 	return -1;
     }
 
+    if(isOpen(pathname, O_LOCK)){ // file is already locked
+	return 0;
+    }
+
     int existing = 0;
     if(isOpen(pathname, 0)){ // file is already open
 	existing = 1;
 	goto _unlockFile;
     }
 
-    if(isOpen(pathname, O_LOCK)){ // file is already locked
-	return 0;
-    }
-
     if (openFile(pathname, O_LOCK) == 0) // open the file with the lock
 	return 0;