diff --git a/dbdimp.c b/dbdimp.c
index 381cae2..a2bb002 100644
--- a/dbdimp.c
+++ b/dbdimp.c
@@ -272,7 +272,6 @@ sqlite_st_prepare (SV *sth, imp_sth_t *imp_sth,
     imp_sth->retval    = SQLITE_OK;
     imp_sth->params    = newAV();
     imp_sth->col_types = newAV();
-    imp_sth->statement = savepv(statement); /* store the query for later re-use if required */
 
     if ((retval = sqlite3_prepare_v2(imp_dbh->db, statement, -1, &(imp_sth->stmt), &extra))
         != SQLITE_OK)
@@ -284,6 +283,10 @@ sqlite_st_prepare (SV *sth, imp_sth_t *imp_sth,
         return FALSE; /* -> undef in lib/DBD/SQLite.pm */
     }
 
+    /* store the query for later re-use if required */
+    /* but only when the query is properly prepared */
+    imp_sth->statement = savepv(statement);
+
     DBIc_NUM_PARAMS(imp_sth) = sqlite3_bind_parameter_count(imp_sth->stmt);
     DBIc_NUM_FIELDS(imp_sth) = sqlite3_column_count(imp_sth->stmt);
     DBIc_IMPSET_on(imp_sth);