diff --git a/mixer.c b/mixer.c
index fc9123d..7c5c5dc 100644
--- a/mixer.c
+++ b/mixer.c
@@ -188,11 +188,13 @@ struct mixer_ctl *mixer_get_ctl(struct mixer *mixer, unsigned int id)
 struct mixer_ctl *mixer_get_ctl_by_name(struct mixer *mixer, const char *name)
 {
     unsigned int n;
-    struct mixer_ctl *ctl = mixer->ctl;
+    struct mixer_ctl *ctl;
 
     if (!mixer)
         return NULL;
 
+    ctl = mixer->ctl;
+
     for (n = 0; n < mixer->count; n++)
         if (!strcmp(name, (char*) ctl[n].info.id.name))
             return &ctl[n];