diff --git a/lib/util.js b/lib/util.js
index 003d2dfa68a127..d3b08d28d8660a 100644
--- a/lib/util.js
+++ b/lib/util.js
@@ -445,6 +445,11 @@ function formatValue(ctx, value, recurseTimes, ln) {
     }
   }
 
+  // Using an array here is actually better for the average case than using
+  // a Set. `seen` will only check for the depth and will never grow too large.
+  if (ctx.seen.indexOf(value) !== -1)
+    return ctx.stylize('[Circular]', 'special');
+
   let keys;
   let symbols = Object.getOwnPropertySymbols(value);
 
@@ -625,11 +630,6 @@ function formatValue(ctx, value, recurseTimes, ln) {
     }
   }
 
-  // Using an array here is actually better for the average case than using
-  // a Set. `seen` will only check for the depth and will never grow too large.
-  if (ctx.seen.indexOf(value) !== -1)
-    return ctx.stylize('[Circular]', 'special');
-
   if (recurseTimes != null) {
     if (recurseTimes < 0)
       return ctx.stylize(`[${constructor || tag || 'Object'}]`, 'special');