diff --git a/beets/library.py b/beets/library.py
index 59d681043..d3a41f2bd 100644
--- a/beets/library.py
+++ b/beets/library.py
@@ -392,14 +392,15 @@ class Item(LibModel):
             path = self.path
         else:
             path = normpath(path)
+
+        plugins.send('write', item=self, path=path)
+
         try:
             mediafile = MediaFile(syspath(path),
                                   id3v23=beets.config['id3v23'].get(bool))
         except (OSError, IOError) as exc:
             raise ReadError(self.path, exc)
 
-        plugins.send('write', item=self, path=path)
-
         mediafile.update(self)
         try:
             mediafile.save()