diff --git a/Source/CParse/parser.y b/Source/CParse/parser.y
index 876fd8e38..b9a509958 100644
--- a/Source/CParse/parser.y
+++ b/Source/CParse/parser.y
@@ -2404,10 +2404,10 @@ c_decl  : storage_class type declarator initializer c_decl_tail {
 
 	      /* Look for "::" declarations (ignored) */
 	      if (Strstr($3.id,"::")) {
-		if (Namespaceprefix) {
-		  /* This is a special case. If the scope name of the declaration exactly
-                     matches that of the declaration, then we will allow it. Otherwise, delete. */
-		  String *p = Swig_scopename_prefix($3.id);
+                /* This is a special case. If the scope name of the declaration exactly
+                   matches that of the declaration, then we will allow it. Otherwise, delete. */
+                String *p = Swig_scopename_prefix($3.id);
+		if (p && Namespaceprefix) {
 		  if (Strcmp(p,Namespaceprefix) == 0) {
 		    Setattr($$,"name",Swig_scopename_last($3.id));
 		    set_nextSibling($$,$5);