diff --git a/userspace/engine/formats.cpp b/userspace/engine/formats.cpp
index 625f9cbf..7be6eaab 100644
--- a/userspace/engine/formats.cpp
+++ b/userspace/engine/formats.cpp
@@ -49,14 +49,13 @@ int falco_formats::formatter(lua_State *ls)
 	try
 	{
 		formatter = new sinsp_evt_formatter(s_inspector, format);
+		lua_pushlightuserdata(ls, formatter);
 	}
 	catch(sinsp_exception& e)
 	{
 		luaL_error(ls, "Invalid output format '%s': '%s'", format.c_str(), e.what());
 	}
 
-	lua_pushlightuserdata(ls, formatter);
-
 	return 1;
 }