diff --git a/examples/platforms/simulation/flash.c b/examples/platforms/simulation/flash.c
index fe634a85c..561ad45da 100644
--- a/examples/platforms/simulation/flash.c
+++ b/examples/platforms/simulation/flash.c
@@ -78,10 +78,10 @@ void otPlatFlashInit(otInstance *aInstance)
     }
 
     sFlashFd = open(fileName, O_RDWR | O_CREAT | O_CLOEXEC, 0600);
-    lseek(sFlashFd, 0, SEEK_SET);
-
     VerifyOrDie(sFlashFd >= 0, OT_EXIT_ERROR_ERRNO);
 
+    lseek(sFlashFd, 0, SEEK_SET);
+
     if (create)
     {
         for (uint8_t index = 0; index < SWAP_NUM; index++)