diff --git a/python/nonlinearsolvers.py b/python/nonlinearsolvers.py
index 9db1f1d83..9a6791a48 100644
--- a/python/nonlinearsolvers.py
+++ b/python/nonlinearsolvers.py
@@ -46,8 +46,8 @@ def Solve(self, maxit=100, maxerr=1e-11, dampfactor=1,
                 w.data = self.inv * r
 
             err2 = InnerProduct(w,r)
-            if err2 < 0:
-                if print_wrong_direction:
+            if print_wrong_direction:
+                if err2 < 0:
                     print("wrong direction")
             err = sqrt(abs(err2))
             if printing: