diff --git a/tuf/repository_tool.py b/tuf/repository_tool.py
index 49e9d45b..dd88159d 100755
--- a/tuf/repository_tool.py
+++ b/tuf/repository_tool.py
@@ -2027,10 +2027,10 @@ def add_targets(self, list_of_targets):
     for relative_target in relative_list_of_targets:
       if relative_target not in roleinfo['paths']:
         logger.debug('Adding new target: ' + repr(relative_target))
-        roleinfo['paths'].update({relative_target: {}})
 
       else:
         logger.debug('Replacing target: ' + repr(relative_target))
+      roleinfo['paths'].update({relative_target: {}})
 
     tuf.roledb.update_roleinfo(self.rolename, roleinfo,
         repository_name=self._repository_name)