diff --git a/youtube_dl/__init__.py b/youtube_dl/__init__.py
index 6e36b22a5..41dc32d7f 100644
--- a/youtube_dl/__init__.py
+++ b/youtube_dl/__init__.py
@@ -672,6 +672,10 @@ def _real_main(argv=None):
         ydl.to_screen(u'--max-download limit reached, aborting.')
         retcode = 101
 
+    if opts.lastrun:
+        with open(opts.lastrun, "w") as conf:
+            conf.write(dateh.today().strftime("%Y%m%d"))
+
     # Dump cookie jar if requested
     if opts.cookiefile is not None:
         try:
@@ -679,10 +683,6 @@ def _real_main(argv=None):
         except (IOError, OSError) as err:
             sys.exit(u'ERROR: unable to save cookie jar')
 
-    if opts.lastrun and retcode is 0:
-        with open(opts.lastrun, "w") as conf:
-            conf.write(dateh.today().strftime("%Y%m%d"))
-
     sys.exit(retcode)
 
 def main(argv=None):