diff --git a/server.go b/server.go
index 5ccffcf0..52659782 100644
--- a/server.go
+++ b/server.go
@@ -241,16 +241,16 @@ func (h *httpHandler) ServeHTTP(rw http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		panic(errInvalidMethod)
 	}
 
-	if !checkSecret(r) {
-		panic(errInvalidSecret)
-	}
-
 	if r.URL.RequestURI() == healthPath {
 		rw.WriteHeader(200)
 		rw.Write(imgproxyIsRunningMsg)
 		return
 	}
 
+	if !checkSecret(r) {
+		panic(errInvalidSecret)
+	}
+
 	ctx := context.Background()
 
 	if newRelicEnabled {