diff --git a/hw/xfree86/modes/xf86Crtc.h b/hw/xfree86/modes/xf86Crtc.h
index 7a562874c..e36adbe00 100644
--- a/hw/xfree86/modes/xf86Crtc.h
+++ b/hw/xfree86/modes/xf86Crtc.h
@@ -837,11 +837,11 @@ extern _X_EXPORT int xf86CrtcConfigPrivateIndex;
 static _X_INLINE xf86OutputPtr
 xf86CompatOutput(ScrnInfoPtr pScrn)
 {
-    xf86CrtcConfigPtr config = XF86_CRTC_CONFIG_PTR(pScrn);
+    xf86CrtcConfigPtr config;
 
     if (xf86CrtcConfigPrivateIndex == -1)
         return NULL;
-
+    config = XF86_CRTC_CONFIG_PTR(pScrn);
     if (config->compat_output < 0)
         return NULL;
     return config->output[config->compat_output];