diff --git a/zone/npc.cpp b/zone/npc.cpp
index 84a06c39c..eae42b670 100644
--- a/zone/npc.cpp
+++ b/zone/npc.cpp
@@ -1851,7 +1851,7 @@ void NPC::PetOnSpawn(NewSpawn_Struct* ns)
 	Mob *swarmOwner = nullptr;
 	if  (GetSwarmOwner())
 	{
-		Mob *swarmOwner = entity_list.GetMobID(GetSwarmOwner());
+		swarmOwner = entity_list.GetMobID(GetSwarmOwner());
 	}
 	
 	if  (swarmOwner != nullptr)