diff --git a/bin/brew b/bin/brew
index 2b5fd70093..728af01a37 100755
--- a/bin/brew
+++ b/bin/brew
@@ -51,13 +51,13 @@ def extract_named_args
       true
     end
   end
+  raise "Expecting the name of a keg or formula, eg:\n==> brew #{PRISTINE_ARGV.join ' '} wget" if args.empty?
   return args
 end
 
 def extract_kegs
   require 'keg'
   kegs=extract_named_args.collect {|name| Keg.new name}
-  raise "Expecting the name of a keg or formula, eg:\n==> brew #{PRISTINE_ARGV.join ' '} wget" if kegs.empty?
   return kegs
 end