diff --git a/pycbc/results/scatter_histograms.py b/pycbc/results/scatter_histograms.py
index dac56ab79cc..4383dcd8a43 100644
--- a/pycbc/results/scatter_histograms.py
+++ b/pycbc/results/scatter_histograms.py
@@ -679,12 +679,6 @@ def create_multidim_plot(parameters, samples, labels=None,
     else:
         width_ratios = height_ratios = None
 
-    if plot_maxl:
-        # make sure loglikelihood is provide
-        if 'loglikelihood' not in samples.fieldnames:
-            raise ValueError("plot-maxl requires loglikelihood")
-        maxidx = samples['loglikelihood'].argmax()
-
     # only plot scatter if more than one parameter
     plot_scatter = plot_scatter and nparams > 1
 
@@ -704,6 +698,12 @@ def create_multidim_plot(parameters, samples, labels=None,
             if plot_contours and contour_color is None:
                 contour_color = 'navy'
 
+    if plot_maxl:
+        # make sure loglikelihood is provide
+        if 'loglikelihood' not in samples.fieldnames:
+            raise ValueError("plot-maxl requires loglikelihood")
+        maxidx = samples['loglikelihood'].argmax()
+
     # create the axis grid
     if fig is None and axis_dict is None:
         fig, axis_dict = create_axes_grid(