diff --git a/lparser.c b/lparser.c
index b0dbb65c..27daa926 100644
--- a/lparser.c
+++ b/lparser.c
@@ -1822,8 +1822,9 @@ static void exprstat (LexState *ls) {
     restassign(ls, &v, 1);
   }
   else {  /* stat -> func */
-    Instruction *inst = &getinstruction(fs, &v.v);
+    Instruction *inst;
     check_condition(ls, v.v.k == VCALL, "syntax error");
+    inst = &getinstruction(fs, &v.v);
     SETARG_C(*inst, 1);  /* call statement uses no results */
   }
 }