diff --git a/hw/mips_r4k.c b/hw/mips_r4k.c
index a7dc48753a..d0564d4449 100644
--- a/hw/mips_r4k.c
+++ b/hw/mips_r4k.c
@@ -256,8 +256,8 @@ void mips_r4k_init (ram_addr_t ram_size,
     cpu_mips_clock_init(env);
 
     /* The PIC is attached to the MIPS CPU INT0 pin */
-    i8259 = i8259_init(env->irq[2]);
     isa_bus_new(NULL, get_system_io());
+    i8259 = i8259_init(env->irq[2]);
     isa_bus_irqs(i8259);
 
     rtc_init(2000, NULL);