diff --git a/zproject/backends.py b/zproject/backends.py
index 93ecf22f40..d60dc5d31f 100644
--- a/zproject/backends.py
+++ b/zproject/backends.py
@@ -538,11 +538,11 @@ class DevAuthBackend(ZulipAuthMixin):
         assert dev_auth_username is not None
         if realm is None:
             return None
+        if not dev_auth_enabled(realm):
+            return None
         user_profile = common_get_active_user_by_email(dev_auth_username, return_data=return_data)
         if user_profile is None:
             return None
-        if not dev_auth_enabled(realm):
-            return None
         assert realm == user_profile.realm
         return user_profile