diff --git a/core/sorting/sorting.factor b/core/sorting/sorting.factor
index fd14931417..32ebe7f7bf 100644
--- a/core/sorting/sorting.factor
+++ b/core/sorting/sorting.factor
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ PRIVATE>
 <PRIVATE
 
 : check-bounds ( alist n -- alist )
-    [ swap bounds-check 2drop ] curry dupd each ;
+    [ swap bounds-check 2drop ] curry dupd each ; inline
 
 PRIVATE>