diff --git a/ts/state/ducks/stories.ts b/ts/state/ducks/stories.ts
index 5a43b02f4..ecbb9b450 100644
--- a/ts/state/ducks/stories.ts
+++ b/ts/state/ducks/stories.ts
@@ -380,13 +380,6 @@ function markStoryRead(
       return;
     }
 
-    if (matchingStory.readStatus !== ReadStatus.Unread) {
-      log.warn(
-        `markStoryRead: not unread, ${messageId} read status: ${matchingStory.readStatus}`
-      );
-      return;
-    }
-
     const message = await __DEPRECATED$getMessageById(messageId);
 
     if (!message) {
@@ -416,6 +409,13 @@ function markStoryRead(
       );
     }
 
+    if (matchingStory.readStatus !== ReadStatus.Unread) {
+      log.warn(
+        `markStoryRead: not unread, ${messageId} read status: ${matchingStory.readStatus}`
+      );
+      return;
+    }
+
     const storyReadDate = Date.now();
 
     message.set(markViewed(message.attributes, storyReadDate));