diff --git a/engines/tony/mpal/mpal.cpp b/engines/tony/mpal/mpal.cpp
index 1a24c5a5760..1de5c6850c7 100644
--- a/engines/tony/mpal/mpal.cpp
+++ b/engines/tony/mpal/mpal.cpp
@@ -521,14 +521,15 @@ static LpItem getItemData(uint32 nOrdItem) {
 		dat += dim;
 	}
 
-	// Check if we've got to the end of the file
 	int i = READ_LE_UINT16(dat);
-	if (i != 0xABCD)
-		return NULL;
 
 	globalUnlock(hDat);
 	globalFree(hDat);
 
+	// Check if we've got to the end of the file
+	if (i != 0xABCD)
+		return NULL;
+
 	return ret;
 }