diff --git a/expand.c b/expand.c
index 0b5fd01..60c6071 100644
--- a/expand.c
+++ b/expand.c
@@ -490,13 +490,15 @@
 {
   const struct variable *v;
   char *buf = 0;
-  /* If this set is local and the next is not a parent, then next is local.  */
-  int nextlocal = local && set->next_is_parent == 0;
+  int nextlocal;
 
   /* If there's nothing left to check, return the empty buffer.  */
   if (!set)
     return initialize_variable_output ();
 
+  /* If this set is local and the next is not a parent, then next is local.  */
+  nextlocal = local && set->next_is_parent == 0;
+
   /* Try to find the variable in this variable set.  */
   v = lookup_variable_in_set (name, length, set->set);