diff --git a/src/dict.c b/src/dict.c
index 82397d5..9ce6dda 100644
--- a/src/dict.c
+++ b/src/dict.c
@@ -805,7 +805,7 @@
  * Advance over a literal key, including "-".  If the first character is not a
  * literal key character then "key" is returned.
  */
-    char_u *
+    static char_u *
 skip_literal_key(char_u *key)
 {
     char_u *p;