diff --git a/includes/class-displayfeaturedimagegenesis-helper.php b/includes/class-displayfeaturedimagegenesis-helper.php
index b4f9ecf..8e91f0d 100644
--- a/includes/class-displayfeaturedimagegenesis-helper.php
+++ b/includes/class-displayfeaturedimagegenesis-helper.php
@@ -182,6 +182,11 @@ class Display_Featured_Image_Genesis_Helper {
 	 */
 	protected function validate_image( $new_value, $old_value, $label, $size_to_check ) {
 
+		// ok for field to be empty
+		if ( ! $new_value ) {
+			return '';
+		}
+
 		$new_value = displayfeaturedimagegenesis_check_image_id( $new_value );
 		$old_value = displayfeaturedimagegenesis_check_image_id( $old_value );
 		$source    = wp_get_attachment_image_src( $new_value, 'full' );
@@ -189,11 +194,6 @@ class Display_Featured_Image_Genesis_Helper {
 		$width     = $source[1];
 		$reset     = sprintf( __( ' The %s Featured Image has been reset to the last valid setting.', 'display-featured-image-genesis' ), $label );
 
-		// ok for field to be empty
-		if ( ! $new_value ) {
-			return '';
-		}
-
 		if ( $valid && $width > $size_to_check ) {
 			return (int) $new_value;
 		}