diff --git a/Lib/smtpd.py b/Lib/smtpd.py
index e0544e4..5bfbb1c 100755
--- a/Lib/smtpd.py
+++ b/Lib/smtpd.py
@@ -523,6 +523,16 @@ def parseargs():
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
     options = parseargs()
+    classname = options.classname
+    if "." in classname:
+        lastdot = classname.rfind(".")
+        mod = __import__(classname[:lastdot], globals(), locals(), [""])
+        classname = classname[lastdot+1:]
+    else:
+        import __main__ as mod
+    class_ = getattr(mod, classname)
+    proxy = class_((options.localhost, options.localport),
+                   (options.remotehost, options.remoteport))
     # Become nobody
     if options.setuid:
         try:
@@ -539,16 +549,6 @@ if __name__ == '__main__':
             print >> sys.stderr, \
                   'Cannot setuid "nobody"; try running with -n option.'
             sys.exit(1)
-    classname = options.classname
-    if "." in classname:
-        lastdot = classname.rfind(".")
-        mod = __import__(classname[:lastdot], globals(), locals(), [""])
-        classname = classname[lastdot+1:]
-    else:
-        import __main__ as mod
-    class_ = getattr(mod, classname)
-    proxy = class_((options.localhost, options.localport),
-                   (options.remotehost, options.remoteport))
     try:
         asyncore.loop()
     except KeyboardInterrupt: