diff --git a/source/duke3d/src/gamedef.cpp b/source/duke3d/src/gamedef.cpp
index a98a1b50e..332ff636d 100644
--- a/source/duke3d/src/gamedef.cpp
+++ b/source/duke3d/src/gamedef.cpp
@@ -5600,7 +5600,9 @@ repeatcase:
             continue;
 
         case CON_NULLOP:
-            if (EDUKE32_PREDICT_FALSE(C_GetKeyword() != CON_ELSE))
+            {
+            auto const kw = C_GetKeyword();
+            if (EDUKE32_PREDICT_FALSE(kw != CON_ELSE && kw != CON_LEFTBRACE))
             {
                 C_ReportError(-1);
                 g_warningCnt++;
@@ -5609,6 +5611,7 @@ repeatcase:
                 g_skipBranch = true;
             }
             continue;
+        }
 
         case CON_GAMESTARTUP:
             {