diff --git a/consumer.go b/consumer.go
index cedae08..fb1cbd4 100644
--- a/consumer.go
+++ b/consumer.go
@@ -135,6 +135,8 @@ func (c *Consumer) Scan(ctx context.Context, fn func(*Record) ScanStatus) error
 			defer wg.Done()
 
 			if err := c.ScanShard(ctx, shardID, fn); err != nil {
+				cancel()
+
 				select {
 				case errc <- fmt.Errorf("shard %s error: %v", shardID, err):
 					// first error to occur
@@ -142,8 +144,6 @@ func (c *Consumer) Scan(ctx context.Context, fn func(*Record) ScanStatus) error
 					// error has already occured
 				}
 			}
-
-			cancel()
 		}(shardID)
 	}