diff --git a/degesch.c b/degesch.c
index 132fcec..440b588 100644
--- a/degesch.c
+++ b/degesch.c
@@ -7804,7 +7804,7 @@ process_input_utf8 (struct app_context *ctx, char *input, int alias_level)
 	else if (alias_level != 0)
 		log_global_error (ctx, "#s: /#s", "Aliases can't nest", name);
 	else
-		process_input_utf8 (ctx, expanded, alias_level++);
+		process_input_utf8 (ctx, expanded, ++alias_level);
 	free (expanded);
 }