diff --git a/src/mkobj.c b/src/mkobj.c
index fc27dfbd3..2980ded72 100644
--- a/src/mkobj.c
+++ b/src/mkobj.c
@@ -2085,7 +2085,7 @@ is_rottable(struct obj *otmp)
 void
 place_object(struct obj *otmp, int x, int y)
 {
-    register struct obj *otmp2 = g.level.objects[x][y];
+    register struct obj *otmp2;
 
     if (!isok(x, y)) { /* validate location */
         void (*func)(const char *, ...) PRINTF_F(1, 2);
@@ -2099,6 +2099,8 @@ place_object(struct obj *otmp, int x, int y)
         panic("place_object: obj \"%s\" [%d] not free",
               safe_typename(otmp->otyp), otmp->where);
 
+    otmp2 = g.level.objects[x][y];
+
     obj_no_longer_held(otmp);
     if (otmp->otyp == BOULDER) {
         if (!otmp2 || otmp2->otyp != BOULDER)