diff --git a/tools/perf/builtin-script.c b/tools/perf/builtin-script.c
index c84d723..9ca7a2d 100644
--- a/tools/perf/builtin-script.c
+++ b/tools/perf/builtin-script.c
@@ -1719,8 +1719,6 @@
 		exit(-1);
 	}
 
-	if (symbol__init() < 0)
-		return -1;
 	if (!script_name)
 		setup_pager();
 
@@ -1734,6 +1732,9 @@
 			goto out_delete;
 	}
 
+	if (symbol__init() < 0)
+		goto out_delete;
+
 	script.session = session;
 
 	if (cpu_list) {