diff --git a/src/Service/JobOrderHandler/CMBJobOrderHandler.php b/src/Service/JobOrderHandler/CMBJobOrderHandler.php
index 339f64cd..2dd355d5 100644
--- a/src/Service/JobOrderHandler/CMBJobOrderHandler.php
+++ b/src/Service/JobOrderHandler/CMBJobOrderHandler.php
@@ -558,19 +558,6 @@ class CMBJobOrderHandler implements JobOrderHandlerInterface
             }
         }
 
-        // set priority based on rider's existing open job orders
-        $rider_jos = $rider->getOpenJobOrders();
-
-        // get maximum priority then add 1
-        // NOTE: this can be a bit buggy due to concurrency issues
-        //       ideally have to lock jo table, but that isn't feasible right now
-        $priority = 0;
-        foreach ($rider_jos as $rider_jo)
-        {
-            if ($priority < $rider_jo->getPriority())
-                $priority = $rider_jo->getPriority() + 1;
-        }
-
         // get discount and set to meta
         $discount = $req->request->get('invoice_discount', []);
         
@@ -583,6 +570,19 @@ class CMBJobOrderHandler implements JobOrderHandlerInterface
 
         if (empty($error_array))
         {
+            // set priority based on rider's existing open job orders
+            $rider_jos = $rider->getOpenJobOrders();
+
+            // get maximum priority then add 1
+            // NOTE: this can be a bit buggy due to concurrency issues
+            //       ideally have to lock jo table, but that isn't feasible right now
+            $priority = 0;
+            foreach ($rider_jos as $rider_jo)
+            {
+                if ($priority < $rider_jo->getPriority())
+                    $priority = $rider_jo->getPriority() + 1;
+            }
+
             // get current user
             $user = $this->security->getUser();