diff --git a/Lib/enum.py b/Lib/enum.py
index bdbfbb6..da5a31f 100644
--- a/Lib/enum.py
+++ b/Lib/enum.py
@@ -104,9 +104,9 @@
                 # enum overwriting a descriptor?
                 raise TypeError('%r already defined as: %r' % (key, self[key]))
             if isinstance(value, auto):
-                self._auto_called = True
                 if value.value == _auto_null:
                     value.value = self._generate_next_value(key, 1, len(self._member_names), self._last_values[:])
+                    self._auto_called = True
                 value = value.value
             self._member_names.append(key)
             self._last_values.append(value)