diff --git a/src/quickfix.c b/src/quickfix.c
index 54ae07d..6af62e8 100644
--- a/src/quickfix.c
+++ b/src/quickfix.c
@@ -4674,6 +4674,11 @@
 {
     callback_T	*cb = &qftf_cb;
     list_T	*qftf_list = NULL;
+    static int	recursive = FALSE;
+
+    if (recursive)
+	return NULL;  // this doesn't work properly recursively
+    recursive = TRUE;
 
     // If 'quickfixtextfunc' is set, then use the user-supplied function to get
     // the text to display. Use the local value of 'quickfixtextfunc' if it is
@@ -4688,7 +4693,10 @@
 
 	// create the dict argument
 	if ((d = dict_alloc_lock(VAR_FIXED)) == NULL)
+	{
+	    recursive = FALSE;
 	    return NULL;
+	}
 	dict_add_number(d, "quickfix", (long)IS_QF_LIST(qfl));
 	dict_add_number(d, "winid", (long)qf_winid);
 	dict_add_number(d, "id", (long)qfl->qf_id);
@@ -4711,6 +4719,7 @@
 	dict_unref(d);
     }
 
+    recursive = FALSE;
     return qftf_list;
 }