diff --git a/src/lower.c b/src/lower.c
index 1b496f466..7d511fce1 100644
--- a/src/lower.c
+++ b/src/lower.c
@@ -2691,7 +2691,8 @@ static vcode_reg_t lower_link_var(lower_unit_t *lu, tree_t decl)
                      istr(tree_ident(decl)));
       }
    }
-   else if (lu->mode == LOWER_THUNK && lu->parent == NULL) {
+   else if (lu->mode == LOWER_THUNK && lu->parent == NULL
+            && tree_has_value(decl)) {
       // Handle a special case of simplifying locally static expressions
       // that reference constant declarations
       assert(tree_kind(decl) == T_CONST_DECL);
diff --git a/test/regress/testlist.txt b/test/regress/testlist.txt
index ccda75e9b..a9ba61398 100644
--- a/test/regress/testlist.txt
+++ b/test/regress/testlist.txt
@@ -848,3 +848,4 @@ open1           normal,2019
 issue750        normal,2008
 order3          shell
 driver18        normal,2008
+vhpi9           normal,vhpi