diff --git a/src/common/kernel/magic.c b/src/common/kernel/magic.c
index edccdeff3..db38f5fc6 100644
--- a/src/common/kernel/magic.c
+++ b/src/common/kernel/magic.c
@@ -340,8 +340,9 @@ create_mage(unit * u, magic_t mtyp)
   if (a!=NULL) {
     mage = a->data.v;
     assert(mage->spells==NULL && mage->magietyp == mtyp);
+  } else {
+    a = a_add(&u->attribs, a_new(&at_mage));
   }
-  a = a_add(&u->attribs, a_new(&at_mage));
   mage = a->data.v;
 
   mage->magietyp = mtyp;