diff --git a/lisp/gnus/nntp.el b/lisp/gnus/nntp.el
index 4a82b036dd7..0812be9917d 100644
--- a/lisp/gnus/nntp.el
+++ b/lisp/gnus/nntp.el
@@ -28,14 +28,14 @@
 (require 'nnoo)
 (require 'gnus-util)
 
+(eval-when-compile (require 'cl))
+
 (nnoo-declare nntp)
 
 (eval-and-compile
   (unless (fboundp 'open-network-stream)
     (require 'tcp)))
 
-(eval-when-compile (require 'cl))
-
 (defvoo nntp-address nil
   "Address of the physical nntp server.")