diff --git a/stand/ficl/words.c b/stand/ficl/words.c
index 54257275d5cc..3f781c6d2ff4 100644
--- a/stand/ficl/words.c
+++ b/stand/ficl/words.c
@@ -1015,7 +1015,7 @@ static void twoSwap(FICL_VM *pVM)
 
 static void emit(FICL_VM *pVM)
 {
-    char *cp = pVM->pad;
+    char cp[2];
     int i;
 
 #if FICL_ROBUST > 1