diff --git a/tools/binman/elf_test.py b/tools/binman/elf_test.py
index e3dee79..b641341 100644
--- a/tools/binman/elf_test.py
+++ b/tools/binman/elf_test.py
@@ -249,8 +249,8 @@
 
     def testEmbedFail(self):
         """Test calling GetSymbolFileOffset() without elftools"""
+        old_val = elf.ELF_TOOLS
         try:
-            old_val = elf.ELF_TOOLS
             elf.ELF_TOOLS = False
             fname = self.ElfTestFile('embed_data')
             with self.assertRaises(ValueError) as e:
@@ -290,8 +290,8 @@
 
     def test_read_segments_fail(self):
         """Test for read_loadable_segments() without elftools"""
+        old_val = elf.ELF_TOOLS
         try:
-            old_val = elf.ELF_TOOLS
             elf.ELF_TOOLS = False
             fname = self.ElfTestFile('embed_data')
             with self.assertRaises(ValueError) as e:
@@ -327,8 +327,8 @@
 
     def test_get_file_offset_fail(self):
         """Test calling GetFileOffset() without elftools"""
+        old_val = elf.ELF_TOOLS
         try:
-            old_val = elf.ELF_TOOLS
             elf.ELF_TOOLS = False
             fname = self.ElfTestFile('embed_data')
             with self.assertRaises(ValueError) as e:
@@ -351,8 +351,8 @@
 
     def test_get_symbol_from_address_fail(self):
         """Test calling GetSymbolFromAddress() without elftools"""
+        old_val = elf.ELF_TOOLS
         try:
-            old_val = elf.ELF_TOOLS
             elf.ELF_TOOLS = False
             fname = self.ElfTestFile('embed_data')
             with self.assertRaises(ValueError) as e: