diff --git a/php/src_web/ext/CurlException.php b/php/src_web/ext/CurlException.php
index f803a24..09fd4f1 100644
--- a/php/src_web/ext/CurlException.php
+++ b/php/src_web/ext/CurlException.php
@@ -6,8 +6,8 @@ use Throwable;
 
 class CurlException extends UserException {
   function __construct($ch, ?string $message=null, $code=0, ?Throwable $previous=null) {
-    $user_message = $message;
     if ($message === null) $message = "(unknown error)";
+    $user_message = $message;
     $tech_message = null;
     if ($ch !== null) {
       $parts = [];