diff --git a/js/Headlines.js b/js/Headlines.js
index ad1d8f749..8895399b2 100755
--- a/js/Headlines.js
+++ b/js/Headlines.js
@@ -753,14 +753,14 @@ define(["dojo/_base/declare"], function (declare) {
 			return rv;
 		},
 		onRowChecked: function (elem) {
+			const row = elem.domNode.up("div[id*=RROW]");
+
 			// do not allow unchecking active article checkbox
 			if (row.hasClassName("active")) {
 				elem.attr("checked", 1);
 				return;
 			}
 
-			const row = elem.domNode.up("div[id*=RROW]");
-
 			if (elem.attr("checked")) {
 				row.addClassName("Selected");
 			} else {