if (par->screen.size == 0)
                return 0;
 
+       /* blank the relevant interface to ensure unit power minimised */
+       (par->ops.fb_blank)(FB_BLANK_POWERDOWN, fbi);
+
+       /* tell console/fb driver we are suspending */
+
+       acquire_console_sem();
+       fb_set_suspend(fbi, 1);
+       release_console_sem();
+
        /* backup copies in case chip is powered down over suspend */
 
        par->store_fb = vmalloc(par->screen.size);
 
        memcpy_fromio(par->store_fb, par->screen.k_addr, par->screen.size);
        memcpy_fromio(par->store_cursor, par->cursor.k_addr, par->cursor.size);
-       /* blank the relevant interface to ensure unit power minimised */
-       (par->ops.fb_blank)(FB_BLANK_POWERDOWN, fbi);
-
-       acquire_console_sem();
-       fb_set_suspend(fbi, 1);
-       release_console_sem();
 
        return 0;