diff --git a/build/org.eclipse.cdt.make.core/src/org/eclipse/cdt/make/internal/core/BuildInfoFactory.java b/build/org.eclipse.cdt.make.core/src/org/eclipse/cdt/make/internal/core/BuildInfoFactory.java
index 2bd5e486474..db3ec1a2577 100644
--- a/build/org.eclipse.cdt.make.core/src/org/eclipse/cdt/make/internal/core/BuildInfoFactory.java
+++ b/build/org.eclipse.cdt.make.core/src/org/eclipse/cdt/make/internal/core/BuildInfoFactory.java
@@ -255,9 +255,9 @@ public class BuildInfoFactory {
 				return;
 			}
 			ICommand builder = MakeProjectNature.getBuildSpec(project, builderID);
+			args.put(name, value);
 			builder.setArguments(args);
 			project.setDescription(project.getDescription(), null);
-			args.put(name, value);
 		}
 
 		public String getString(String name) {