diff --git a/cashu/wallet/wallet.py b/cashu/wallet/wallet.py
index 731164f..b9a45f1 100644
--- a/cashu/wallet/wallet.py
+++ b/cashu/wallet/wallet.py
@@ -561,6 +561,10 @@ class Wallet(LedgerAPI):
         ]  # "or not p.id" is for backwards compatibility with proofs without a keyset id
         # select proofs that are not reserved
         proofs = [p for p in proofs if not p.reserved]
+
+        if sum_proofs(proofs) < amount_to_send:
+            raise Exception("balance too low.")
+
         # select proofs based on amount to send
         sorted_proofs = sorted(proofs, key=lambda p: p.amount)
         send_proofs: List[Proof] = []
@@ -598,8 +602,7 @@ class Wallet(LedgerAPI):
         if scnd_secret:
             logger.debug(f"Spending conditions: {scnd_secret}")
         spendable_proofs = await self._select_proofs_to_send(proofs, amount)
-        if sum_proofs(spendable_proofs) < amount:
-            raise Exception("balance too low.")
+
         keep_proofs, send_proofs = await self.split(
             [p for p in spendable_proofs if not p.reserved], amount, scnd_secret
         )
diff --git a/tests/test_wallet.py b/tests/test_wallet.py
index 493503f..1917792 100644
--- a/tests/test_wallet.py
+++ b/tests/test_wallet.py
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ async def test_split_to_send(wallet1: Wallet):
     keep_proofs, spendable_proofs = await wallet1.split_to_send(
         wallet1.proofs, 32, set_reserved=True
     )
-    get_spendable = await wallet1._get_spendable_proofs(wallet1.proofs)
+    get_spendable = await wallet1._select_proofs_to_send(wallet1.proofs, 32)
     assert keep_proofs == get_spendable
 
     assert sum_proofs(spendable_proofs) == 32