diff --git a/lib/paths.c b/lib/paths.c
index 24a49a62..9777d5b8 100644
--- a/lib/paths.c
+++ b/lib/paths.c
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ const char *get_debuginfo_path(struct rpminspect *ri, const rpmfile_entry_t *fil
     rpmfile_entry_t *pfile = NULL;
     unsigned int count = 0;
     struct stat sb;
+    Header peer_rpm_header = NULL;
 
     assert(ri != NULL);
     assert(file != NULL);
@@ -90,14 +91,16 @@ const char *get_debuginfo_path(struct rpminspect *ri, const rpmfile_entry_t *fil
 
         if (build == BEFORE_BUILD) {
             name = headerGetString(peer->before_hdr, RPMTAG_NAME);
+            peer_rpm_header = peer->before_hdr;
         } else {
             name = headerGetString(peer->after_hdr, RPMTAG_NAME);
+            peer_rpm_header = peer->after_hdr;
         }
 
         assert(name != NULL);
 
         /* found debuginfo package */
-        if (is_debuginfo_rpm(file->rpm_header)) {
+        if (is_debuginfo_rpm(peer_rpm_header)) {
             count++;
 
             /* used for older systems that generate single debuginfo packages */