diff --git a/compiler/ast.nim b/compiler/ast.nim
index c75a149c02..da3f3e7d75 100644
--- a/compiler/ast.nim
+++ b/compiler/ast.nim
@@ -1834,6 +1834,7 @@ proc toVar*(typ: PType; kind: TTypeKind; idgen: IdGenerator): PType =
 proc toRef*(typ: PType; idgen: IdGenerator): PType =
   ## If ``typ`` is a tyObject then it is converted into a `ref <typ>` and
   ## returned. Otherwise ``typ`` is simply returned as-is.
+  result = typ
   if typ.skipTypes({tyAlias, tyGenericInst}).kind == tyObject:
     result = newType(tyRef, nextId(idgen), typ.owner)
     rawAddSon(result, typ)