diff --git a/libnetwork/iptables/iptables.go b/libnetwork/iptables/iptables.go
index 51a3e2bdc2..c8da33e457 100644
--- a/libnetwork/iptables/iptables.go
+++ b/libnetwork/iptables/iptables.go
@@ -116,11 +116,7 @@ func detectIptables() {
 		return
 	}
 	iptablesPath = path
-	path, err = exec.LookPath("ip6tables")
-	if err != nil {
-		return
-	}
-	ip6tablesPath = path
+
 	supportsXlock = exec.Command(iptablesPath, "--wait", "-L", "-n").Run() == nil
 	mj, mn, mc, err := GetVersion()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -128,6 +124,13 @@ func detectIptables() {
 		return
 	}
 	supportsCOpt = supportsCOption(mj, mn, mc)
+
+	path, err = exec.LookPath("ip6tables")
+	if err != nil {
+		return
+	} else {
+		ip6tablesPath = path
+	}
 }
 
 func initDependencies() {