diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/installer.py b/lib/spack/spack/installer.py
index fd2818a6a43..4018b01dd0d 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/installer.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/installer.py
@@ -2044,9 +2044,8 @@ def _real_install(self):
                             tty.set_debug(inner_debug_level)
 
                         # Catch any errors to report to logging
-                        phase_fn.execute()
-
                         self.timer.start(phase_fn.name)
+                        phase_fn.execute()
                         spack.hooks.on_phase_success(pkg, phase_fn.name, log_file)
                         self.timer.stop(phase_fn.name)