diff --git a/tests/hwsim/test_pasn.py b/tests/hwsim/test_pasn.py
index 55aee9ef6..579625b00 100644
--- a/tests/hwsim/test_pasn.py
+++ b/tests/hwsim/test_pasn.py
@@ -65,10 +65,11 @@ def check_pasn_akmp_cipher(dev, hapd, akmp="PASN", cipher="CCMP",
 
     cmd = "PASN_START bssid=%s akmp=%s cipher=%s group=%s" % (hapd.own_addr(), akmp, cipher, group)
 
-    resp = dev.request(cmd)
     if nid != "":
         cmd += " nid=%s" % nid
 
+    resp = dev.request(cmd)
+
     if fail:
         if "OK" in resp:
             raise Exception("Unexpected success to start PASN authentication")