diff --git a/go/vt/vtgate/tabletgateway.go b/go/vt/vtgate/tabletgateway.go
index 6b4efde2768..1650c28a4fd 100644
--- a/go/vt/vtgate/tabletgateway.go
+++ b/go/vt/vtgate/tabletgateway.go
@@ -297,12 +297,12 @@ func (gw *TabletGateway) withRetry(ctx context.Context, target *querypb.Target,
 			// if we have a keyspace event watcher, check if the reason why our primary is not available is that it's currently being resharded
 			// or if a reparent operation is in progress.
 			if kev := gw.kev; kev != nil {
-				if kev.TargetIsBeingResharded(target) {
-					err = vterrors.Errorf(vtrpcpb.Code_CLUSTER_EVENT, "current keyspace is being resharded")
+				if kev.PrimaryIsNotServing(target) {
+					err = vterrors.Errorf(vtrpcpb.Code_CLUSTER_EVENT, "primary is not serving, there could be a reparent operation in progress")
 					continue
 				}
-				if kev.PrimaryIsNotServing(target) {
-					err = vterrors.Errorf(vtrpcpb.Code_CLUSTER_EVENT, "primary is not serving, there is a reparent operation in progress")
+				if kev.TargetIsBeingResharded(target) {
+					err = vterrors.Errorf(vtrpcpb.Code_CLUSTER_EVENT, "current keyspace is potentially being resharded")
 					continue
 				}
 			}