diff --git a/lib/lws-plat-unix.c b/lib/lws-plat-unix.c
index a2284f442..07b7edc8f 100644
--- a/lib/lws-plat-unix.c
+++ b/lib/lws-plat-unix.c
@@ -294,11 +294,13 @@ lws_plat_set_socket_options(struct lws_vhost *vhost, int fd)
 static void
 _lws_plat_apply_caps(int mode, cap_value_t *cv, int count)
 {
-	cap_t caps = cap_get_proc();
+	cap_t caps;
 
 	if (!count)
 		return;
 
+	caps = cap_get_proc();
+
 	cap_set_flag(caps, mode, count, cv, CAP_SET);
 	cap_set_proc(caps);
 	prctl(PR_SET_KEEPCAPS, 1, 0, 0, 0);