diff --git a/modules/juce_dsp/processors/juce_BallisticsFilter.cpp b/modules/juce_dsp/processors/juce_BallisticsFilter.cpp
index 8ed7bbc937..e9fcf5ee35 100644
--- a/modules/juce_dsp/processors/juce_BallisticsFilter.cpp
+++ b/modules/juce_dsp/processors/juce_BallisticsFilter.cpp
@@ -92,13 +92,13 @@ SampleType BallisticsFilter<SampleType>::processSample (int channel, SampleType
 {
     jassert (isPositiveAndBelow (channel, yold.size()));
 
-    SampleType cte = (inputValue > yold[(size_t) channel] ? cteAT : cteRL);
-
     if (levelType == LevelCalculationType::RMS)
         inputValue *= inputValue;
     else
         inputValue = std::abs (inputValue);
 
+    SampleType cte = (inputValue > yold[(size_t) channel] ? cteAT : cteRL);
+
     SampleType result = inputValue + cte * (yold[(size_t) channel] - inputValue);
     yold[(size_t) channel] = result;