diff --git a/init/initramfs.c b/init/initramfs.c
index 2f3d96dc3db6..2f79b3ec0b40 100644
--- a/init/initramfs.c
+++ b/init/initramfs.c
@@ -257,12 +257,11 @@ static int __init do_collect(void)
 
 static int __init do_header(void)
 {
-	if (memcmp(collected, "070707", 6)==0) {
-		error("incorrect cpio method used: use -H newc option");
-		return 1;
-	}
 	if (memcmp(collected, "070701", 6)) {
-		error("no cpio magic");
+		if (memcmp(collected, "070707", 6) == 0)
+			error("incorrect cpio method used: use -H newc option");
+		else
+			error("no cpio magic");
 		return 1;
 	}
 	parse_header(collected);