diff --git a/sys/boot/sparc64/loader/main.c b/sys/boot/sparc64/loader/main.c
index b3e79084ad3e..97f566cc440b 100644
--- a/sys/boot/sparc64/loader/main.c
+++ b/sys/boot/sparc64/loader/main.c
@@ -811,15 +811,15 @@ main(int (*openfirm)(void *))
 	archsw.arch_autoload = sparc64_autoload;
 	archsw.arch_maphint = sparc64_maphint;
 
+	if (init_heap() == (vm_offset_t)-1)
+		OF_exit();
+	setheap((void *)heapva, (void *)(heapva + HEAPSZ));
+
 	/*
 	 * Probe for a console.
 	 */
 	cons_probe();
 
-	if (init_heap() == (vm_offset_t)-1)
-		panic("%s: can't claim heap", __func__);
-	setheap((void *)heapva, (void *)(heapva + HEAPSZ));
-
 	if ((root = OF_peer(0)) == -1)
 		panic("%s: can't get root phandle", __func__);
 	OF_getprop(root, "compatible", compatible, sizeof(compatible));