diff --git a/src/backend/utils/mmgr/portalmem.c b/src/backend/utils/mmgr/portalmem.c
index a92b4541bd..697c980282 100644
--- a/src/backend/utils/mmgr/portalmem.c
+++ b/src/backend/utils/mmgr/portalmem.c
@@ -1262,8 +1262,8 @@ HoldPinnedPortals(void)
 						(errcode(ERRCODE_INVALID_TRANSACTION_TERMINATION),
 						 errmsg("cannot perform transaction commands inside a cursor loop that is not read-only")));
 
-			portal->autoHeld = true;
 			HoldPortal(portal);
+			portal->autoHeld = true;
 		}
 	}
 }