diff --git a/servers/slapd/back-meta/search.c b/servers/slapd/back-meta/search.c
index fdf922667f..027e4c694d 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/back-meta/search.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/back-meta/search.c
@@ -1648,8 +1648,9 @@ err_pr:;
 						if ( rs->sr_nentries == op->ors_slimit
 							|| META_BACK_ONERR_STOP( mi ) )
 						{
-							const char *save_text = rs->sr_text;
+							const char *save_text;
 got_err:
+							save_text = rs->sr_text;
 							savepriv = op->o_private;
 							op->o_private = (void *)i;
 							rs->sr_text = candidates[ i ].sr_text;