diff --git a/Objects/listobject.c b/Objects/listobject.c
index 0dab784..88478f3 100644
--- a/Objects/listobject.c
+++ b/Objects/listobject.c
@@ -1934,17 +1934,17 @@
         }
     }
 
-    /* Reverse sort stability achieved by initially reversing the list,
-    applying a stable forward sort, then reversing the final result. */
-    if (reverse && saved_ob_size > 1)
-        reverse_slice(saved_ob_item, saved_ob_item + saved_ob_size);
-
     merge_init(&ms);
 
     nremaining = saved_ob_size;
     if (nremaining < 2)
         goto succeed;
 
+    /* Reverse sort stability achieved by initially reversing the list,
+    applying a stable forward sort, then reversing the final result. */
+    if (reverse)
+        reverse_slice(saved_ob_item, saved_ob_item + saved_ob_size);
+
     /* March over the array once, left to right, finding natural runs,
      * and extending short natural runs to minrun elements.
      */