diff --git a/jOOQ/src/main/java/org/jooq/impl/AbstractSubSelect.java b/jOOQ/src/main/java/org/jooq/impl/AbstractSubSelect.java
index 7dfd506295..8114e94f3c 100644
--- a/jOOQ/src/main/java/org/jooq/impl/AbstractSubSelect.java
+++ b/jOOQ/src/main/java/org/jooq/impl/AbstractSubSelect.java
@@ -434,14 +434,16 @@ implements
         // SELECT clause
         // -------------
         context.keyword("select ");
-        if (distinct) {
-            context.keyword("distinct ");
-        }
 
+        // [#1493] Oracle hints come directly after the SELECT keyword
         if (!StringUtils.isBlank(hint)) {
             context.sql(hint).sql(" ");
         }
 
+        if (distinct) {
+            context.keyword("distinct ");
+        }
+
         // Sybase and SQL Server have leading TOP clauses
         switch (context.getDialect()) {
             case ASE: