diff --git a/block-vvfat.c b/block-vvfat.c
index 36f97134d3..84d2a08ad7 100644
--- a/block-vvfat.c
+++ b/block-vvfat.c
@@ -1578,10 +1578,12 @@ static uint32_t get_cluster_count_for_direntry(BDRVVVFATState* s,
 	mapping = find_mapping_for_cluster(s, cluster_num);
 
 	if (mapping) {
+	    const char* basename;
+
 	    assert(mapping->mode & MODE_DELETED);
 	    mapping->mode &= ~MODE_DELETED;
 
-	    const char* basename = get_basename(mapping->path);
+	    basename = get_basename(mapping->path);
 
 	    assert(mapping->mode & MODE_NORMAL);