diff --git a/src/PIL/ImageFont.py b/src/PIL/ImageFont.py
index 0331a5c458c..18de103758c 100644
--- a/src/PIL/ImageFont.py
+++ b/src/PIL/ImageFont.py
@@ -188,6 +188,10 @@ class FreeTypeFont:
     def __init__(self, font=None, size=10, index=0, encoding="", layout_engine=None):
         # FIXME: use service provider instead
 
+        if size <= 0:
+            msg = "font size must be greater than 0"
+            raise ValueError(msg)
+
         self.path = font
         self.size = size
         self.index = index
@@ -791,10 +795,6 @@ def truetype(font=None, size=10, index=0, encoding="", layout_engine=None):
     :exception ValueError: If the font size is not greater than zero.
     """
 
-    if size <= 0:
-        msg = "font size must be greater than 0"
-        raise ValueError(msg)
-
     def freetype(font):
         return FreeTypeFont(font, size, index, encoding, layout_engine)