diff --git a/beets/library.py b/beets/library.py
index 0fa14811e..135bd2be0 100644
--- a/beets/library.py
+++ b/beets/library.py
@@ -283,12 +283,13 @@ class Item(object):
 
         for key in ITEM_KEYS_META:
             setattr(self, key, getattr(f, key))
-        self.path = read_path
 
         # Database's mtime should now reflect the on-disk value.
         if read_path == self.path:
             self.mtime = self.current_mtime()
 
+        self.path = read_path
+
     def write(self):
         """Writes the item's metadata to the associated file.
         """