diff --git a/attn/attn_handler.cpp b/attn/attn_handler.cpp
index 8a5042d..caf5265 100644
--- a/attn/attn_handler.cpp
+++ b/attn/attn_handler.cpp
@@ -363,14 +363,15 @@
  */
 bool activeAttn(uint32_t i_val, uint32_t i_mask, uint32_t i_attn)
 {
-    bool rc        = false; // assume attn masked and/or inactive
-    bool validAttn = true;  // known attention type
+    bool rc = false; // assume attn masked and/or inactive
 
     // if attention active
     if (0 != (i_val & i_attn))
     {
         std::stringstream ss;
 
+        bool validAttn = true; // known attention type
+
         switch (i_attn)
         {
             case SBE_ATTN: