diff --git a/builtin/reset.c b/builtin/reset.c
index 045c9609f2..664fad9fc5 100644
--- a/builtin/reset.c
+++ b/builtin/reset.c
@@ -295,8 +295,6 @@ int cmd_reset(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		else if (reset_type != NONE)
 			die(_("Cannot do %s reset with paths."),
 					_(reset_type_names[reset_type]));
-		return read_from_tree(pathspec, sha1,
-				quiet ? REFRESH_QUIET : REFRESH_IN_PORCELAIN);
 	}
 	if (reset_type == NONE)
 		reset_type = MIXED; /* by default */
@@ -308,6 +306,10 @@ int cmd_reset(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		die(_("%s reset is not allowed in a bare repository"),
 		    _(reset_type_names[reset_type]));
 
+	if (pathspec)
+		return read_from_tree(pathspec, sha1,
+				quiet ? REFRESH_QUIET : REFRESH_IN_PORCELAIN);
+
 	/* Soft reset does not touch the index file nor the working tree
 	 * at all, but requires them in a good order.  Other resets reset
 	 * the index file to the tree object we are switching to. */