diff --git a/src/db.cpp b/src/db.cpp
index 867703fbd2..278c82078a 100644
--- a/src/db.cpp
+++ b/src/db.cpp
@@ -842,20 +842,22 @@ bool CAddrDB::Read(CAddrMan& addr)
     if (hashIn != hashTmp)
         return error("CAddrman::Read() : checksum mismatch; data corrupted");
 
-    // de-serialize address data
     unsigned char pchMsgTmp[4];
     try {
+        // de-serialize file header (pchMessageStart magic number) and
         ssPeers >> FLATDATA(pchMsgTmp);
+
+        // verify the network matches ours
+        if (memcmp(pchMsgTmp, pchMessageStart, sizeof(pchMsgTmp)))
+            return error("CAddrman::Read() : invalid network magic number");
+
+        // de-serialize address data into one CAddrMan object
         ssPeers >> addr;
     }
     catch (std::exception &e) {
         return error("CAddrman::Read() : I/O error or stream data corrupted");
     }
 
-    // finally, verify the network matches ours
-    if (memcmp(pchMsgTmp, pchMessageStart, sizeof(pchMsgTmp)))
-        return error("CAddrman::Read() : invalid network magic number");
-
     return true;
 }