diff --git a/src/cmd/compile/internal/noder/noder.go b/src/cmd/compile/internal/noder/noder.go
index 4c7c9fc322..2c021cc570 100644
--- a/src/cmd/compile/internal/noder/noder.go
+++ b/src/cmd/compile/internal/noder/noder.go
@@ -46,8 +46,8 @@ func LoadPackage(filenames []string) {
 		noders[i] = &p
 
 		filename := filename
+		sem <- struct{}{}
 		go func() {
-			sem <- struct{}{}
 			defer func() { <-sem }()
 			defer close(p.err)
 			fbase := syntax.NewFileBase(filename)