diff --git a/login/login.go b/login/login.go
index 6d37282..6a89364 100644
--- a/login/login.go
+++ b/login/login.go
@@ -280,11 +280,6 @@ func (server *LoginServer) ShardSelect(peer *cnet.Peer, pkt protocol.Packet) err
 		return fmt.Errorf("loginServer has found no linked shards")
 	}
 
-	key, err := protocol.GenSerialKey()
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
 	// TODO: better shard selection logic pls
 	// for now, pick random shard
 	shard := shards[rand.Intn(len(shards))]
@@ -302,6 +297,11 @@ func (server *LoginServer) ShardSelect(peer *cnet.Peer, pkt protocol.Packet) err
 		return SendFail(peer)
 	}
 
+	key, err := protocol.GenSerialKey()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
 	// share the login attempt
 	server.redisHndlr.QueueLogin(key, redis.LoginMetadata{
 		FEKey:     peer.FE_key,