diff --git a/compiler/ccgutils.nim b/compiler/ccgutils.nim
index 46a9177ad9..ff8f768bd3 100644
--- a/compiler/ccgutils.nim
+++ b/compiler/ccgutils.nim
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ proc mangle*(name: string): string =
     of '_':
       # we generate names like 'foo_9' for scope disambiguations and so
       # disallow this here:
-      if i < name.len-1 and name[i+1] in Digits:
+      if i > 0 and i < name.len-1 and name[i+1] in Digits:
         discard
       else:
         add(result, c)