diff --git a/ext/session/session.c b/ext/session/session.c
index b7a1611363d..5f44f991c17 100644
--- a/ext/session/session.c
+++ b/ext/session/session.c
@@ -557,9 +557,6 @@ static void php_session_initialize(void) /* {{{ */
 
 	php_session_reset_id();
 
-	/* GC must be done before read */
-	php_session_gc();
-
 	/* Read data */
 	php_session_track_init();
 	if (PS(mod)->s_read(&PS(mod_data), PS(id), &val, PS(gc_maxlifetime)) == FAILURE) {
@@ -569,6 +566,10 @@ static void php_session_initialize(void) /* {{{ */
 		php_error_docref(NULL, E_WARNING, "Failed to read session data: %s (path: %s)", PS(mod)->s_name, PS(save_path));
 		return;
 	}
+
+	/* GC must be done after read */
+	php_session_gc();
+
 	if (PS(session_vars)) {
 		zend_string_release(PS(session_vars));
 		PS(session_vars) = NULL;