diff --git a/src/USER-REAXC/fix_qeq_reax.cpp b/src/USER-REAXC/fix_qeq_reax.cpp
index cf2e6612a2..9d165f3fd3 100644
--- a/src/USER-REAXC/fix_qeq_reax.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-REAXC/fix_qeq_reax.cpp
@@ -140,12 +140,12 @@ FixQEqReax::FixQEqReax(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
 
 FixQEqReax::~FixQEqReax()
 {
+  if (copymode) return;
+
   delete[] pertype_option;
 
   // unregister callbacks to this fix from Atom class
 
-  if (copymode) return;
-
   atom->delete_callback(id,0);
 
   memory->destroy(s_hist);