diff --git a/plugins/inputs/prometheus/kubernetes.go b/plugins/inputs/prometheus/kubernetes.go
index 9a4d6bd32..e3217e697 100644
--- a/plugins/inputs/prometheus/kubernetes.go
+++ b/plugins/inputs/prometheus/kubernetes.go
@@ -110,10 +110,10 @@ func (p *Prometheus) watchPod(ctx context.Context, client *kubernetes.Clientset)
 		LabelSelector: p.KubernetesLabelSelector,
 		FieldSelector: p.KubernetesFieldSelector,
 	})
-	defer watcher.Stop()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	defer watcher.Stop()
 
 	for {
 		select {