diff --git a/sys/kern/sched_ule.c b/sys/kern/sched_ule.c
index a12d2d5d5f93..e039e349cd02 100644
--- a/sys/kern/sched_ule.c
+++ b/sys/kern/sched_ule.c
@@ -884,11 +884,12 @@ sched_balance(void)
 {
 	struct tdq *tdq;
 
+	balance_ticks = max(balance_interval / 2, 1) +
+	    (sched_random() % balance_interval);
+
 	if (smp_started == 0 || rebalance == 0)
 		return;
 
-	balance_ticks = max(balance_interval / 2, 1) +
-	    (sched_random() % balance_interval);
 	tdq = TDQ_SELF();
 	TDQ_UNLOCK(tdq);
 	sched_balance_group(cpu_top);