diff --git a/source/org/jivesoftware/smack/packet/IQ.java b/source/org/jivesoftware/smack/packet/IQ.java
index 4441087c4..ab93f46e8 100644
--- a/source/org/jivesoftware/smack/packet/IQ.java
+++ b/source/org/jivesoftware/smack/packet/IQ.java
@@ -106,12 +106,12 @@ public abstract class IQ extends Packet {
         if (queryXML != null) {
             buf.append(queryXML);
         }
-        buf.append("</iq>");
         // Add the error sub-packet, if there is one.
         XMPPError error = getError();
         if (error != null) {
             buf.append(error.toXML());
         }
+        buf.append("</iq>");
         return buf.toString();
     }