diff --git a/python/tag_mysql.py b/python/tag_mysql.py
index 7263b66..9a7bcee 100644
--- a/python/tag_mysql.py
+++ b/python/tag_mysql.py
@@ -55,8 +55,8 @@ class Tag():
         if self.tag:
             v = self.readFn(self.ip_address, self.tag)
             if v:
+                val = v[0]
                 if self.data_type == 'BOOL' or self.data_type == 'STRING':
-                    val = v[0]
                     if self.mapFn:
                         val = self.mapFn[val]
                     if (self.last_send_time == 0) or (self.value is None) or not (self.value == val) or ((time.time() - self.last_send_time) > self.guarantee_sec) or (forceSend == True):
diff --git a/python/tag_sqlite.py b/python/tag_sqlite.py
index bf1112a..457cd94 100644
--- a/python/tag_sqlite.py
+++ b/python/tag_sqlite.py
@@ -51,8 +51,8 @@ class Tag():
         if self.tag:
             v = self.readFn(str(self.ip_address), str(self.tag))
             if v:
+                val = v[0]
                 if self.data_type == 'BOOL' or self.data_type == 'STRING':
-                    val = v[0]
                     if self.mapFn:
                         val = self.mapFn[val]
                     if (self.last_send_time == 0) or (self.value is None) or not (self.value == val) or ((time.time() - self.last_send_time) > self.guarantee_sec) or (forceSend == True):