diff --git a/jc/cli.py b/jc/cli.py
index c8f8c33a..7514dcb9 100644
--- a/jc/cli.py
+++ b/jc/cli.py
@@ -136,11 +136,11 @@ def main():
         for arg in sys.argv:
             if arg in parser_map:
                 try:
-                    parser_name = arg.lstrip('--')
                     result = parser_map[arg](data, raw=raw, quiet=quiet)
                     found = True
                     break
                 except:
+                    parser_name = arg.lstrip('--')
                     jc.utils.error_message(f'{parser_name} parser could not parse the input data. Did you use the correct parser?\n         For details use the -d option.')
                     exit(1)