diff --git a/transformations.c b/transformations.c
index 62b19ee80be..14504584f60 100644
--- a/transformations.c
+++ b/transformations.c
@@ -3382,8 +3382,8 @@ int tr_parse_paramlist(str* in, trans_t *t)
 
 		return 0;
 
-	} else if(str_match(&name, &str_const_init("exist"))
-	          || str_match(&name, &str_const_init("exists"))) {
+	} else if(str_match(&name, &(str_const_init("exist")))
+	          || str_match(&name, &(str_const_init("exists")))) {
 		t->subtype = TR_PL_EXIST;
 		if(*p!=TR_PARAM_MARKER)
 		{