diff --git a/jot.c b/jot.c
index 7024b95..2244a32 100644
--- a/jot.c
+++ b/jot.c
@@ -204,11 +190,12 @@ main(int argc, char **argv)
 		errx(1, "too many arguments.  What do you mean by %s?",
 		    argv[4]);
 	}
-	getformat();
 
 	if (prec == -1)
 		prec = 0;
 
+	getformat();
+
 	while (mask)	/* 4 bit mask has 1's where last 4 args were given */
 		switch (mask) {	/* fill in the 0's by default or computation */
 		case HAVE_STEP: