diff --git a/src/vim9instr.c b/src/vim9instr.c
index 8ce32a7..48b22a6 100644
--- a/src/vim9instr.c
+++ b/src/vim9instr.c
@@ -714,7 +714,6 @@
 
 /*
  * Generate an ISN_PUSHFUNC instruction with name "name".
- * Consumes "name".
  */
     int
 generate_PUSHFUNC(cctx_T *cctx, char_u *name, type_T *type)
@@ -727,7 +726,8 @@
 	return FAIL;
     if (name == NULL)
 	funcname = NULL;
-    else if (*name == K_SPECIAL)  // script-local
+    else if (*name == K_SPECIAL				    // script-local
+	    || vim_strchr(name, AUTOLOAD_CHAR) != NULL)	    // autoload
 	funcname = vim_strsave(name);
     else
     {