diff --git a/R/tab_footnote.R b/R/tab_footnote.R
index ad517c2445..9829133d8e 100644
--- a/R/tab_footnote.R
+++ b/R/tab_footnote.R
@@ -366,11 +366,12 @@ tab_footnote <- function(
     placement = c("auto", "right", "left")
 ) {
 
-  placement <- rlang::arg_match(placement)
-  rlang::check_required(footnote)
   # Perform input object validation
   stop_if_not_gt_tbl(data = data)
 
+  placement <- rlang::arg_match(placement)
+  rlang::check_required(footnote)
+
   if (is.null(locations)) {
 
     # We need to invoke `dt_footnotes_add()` here (and not use
diff --git a/tests/testthat/_snaps/utils_render_grid.md b/tests/testthat/_snaps/utils_render_grid.md
index 82f7662760..d9f1447028 100644
--- a/tests/testthat/_snaps/utils_render_grid.md
+++ b/tests/testthat/_snaps/utils_render_grid.md
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# create_columns_component_g creates columns and spanners
+# create_columns_component_g() creates columns and spanners
 
     Code
       test