diff --git a/PDP11/pdp11_cpu.c b/PDP11/pdp11_cpu.c
index 5a9033ad..7d7ea35a 100644
--- a/PDP11/pdp11_cpu.c
+++ b/PDP11/pdp11_cpu.c
@@ -665,6 +665,7 @@ t_stat sim_instr (void)
 int abortval, i;
 volatile int32 trapea;                                  /* used by setjmp */
 t_stat reason;
+InstHistory *hst_ent = NULL;
 
 sim_vm_pc_value = &pdp11_pc_value;
 
@@ -745,7 +746,6 @@ while (reason == 0)  {
     int32 IR, srcspec, srcreg, dstspec, dstreg;
     int32 src, src2, dst, ea;
     int32 i, t, sign, oldrs, trapnum;
-    InstHistory *hst_ent;
 
     if (cpu_astop) {
         cpu_astop = 0;
@@ -902,7 +902,6 @@ while (reason == 0)  {
         if (hst_p >= hst_lnt)
             hst_p = 0;
         }
-    else hst_ent = NULL;
     PC = (PC + 2) & 0177777;                            /* incr PC, mod 65k */
     switch ((IR >> 12) & 017) {                         /* decode IR<15:12> */