diff --git a/gdb/ser-unix.c b/gdb/ser-unix.c
index dbd51dfec43..2fe9be99622 100644
--- a/gdb/ser-unix.c
+++ b/gdb/ser-unix.c
@@ -221,10 +221,11 @@ hardwire_noflush_set_tty_state (scb, new_ttystate, old_ttystate)
      serial_ttystate new_ttystate;
      serial_ttystate old_ttystate;
 {
-  struct hardwire_ttystate new_state =
-    *(struct hardwire_ttystate *)new_ttystate;
+  struct hardwire_ttystate new_state;
   struct hardwire_ttystate *state = (struct hardwire_ttystate *) old_ttystate;
 
+  new_state = *(struct hardwire_ttystate *)new_ttystate;
+
 #ifdef HAVE_TERMIOS
   /* I'm not sure whether this is necessary; the manpage makes no mention
      of discarding input when switching to/from ICANON.  */