diff --git a/daffodil-core/src/main/scala/org/apache/daffodil/core/dpath/Expression.scala b/daffodil-core/src/main/scala/org/apache/daffodil/core/dpath/Expression.scala
index 354764ee30..db3cdce36a 100644
--- a/daffodil-core/src/main/scala/org/apache/daffodil/core/dpath/Expression.scala
+++ b/daffodil-core/src/main/scala/org/apache/daffodil/core/dpath/Expression.scala
@@ -1069,10 +1069,10 @@ sealed abstract class UpStepExpression(s: String, predArg: Option[PredicateExpre
     val areAllArrays = isLastStep && stepElements.forall {
       _.isArray
     } && targetType == NodeInfo.Array
+    checkIfNodeIndexedLikeArray()
     if (areAllArrays) {
       new CompiledDPath(UpMoveArray)
     } else {
-      checkIfNodeIndexedLikeArray()
       new CompiledDPath(UpMove)
     }
   }