diff --git a/source/duke3d/src/gamedef.cpp b/source/duke3d/src/gamedef.cpp
index 9e0ffa254..de9796120 100644
--- a/source/duke3d/src/gamedef.cpp
+++ b/source/duke3d/src/gamedef.cpp
@@ -4120,7 +4120,7 @@ DO_DEFSTATE:
                 auto const tempscrptr = (intptr_t *)apScript+offset;
                 scriptWritePointer((intptr_t)g_scriptPtr, tempscrptr);
 
-                if (tw != CON_WHILEVARVARN)
+                if (tw != CON_WHILEVARVARN && tw != CON_WHILEVARVARL)
                 {
                     j = C_GetKeyword();