diff --git a/core/syntax/syntax.factor b/core/syntax/syntax.factor
index 6361ddad61..91a453408d 100755
--- a/core/syntax/syntax.factor
+++ b/core/syntax/syntax.factor
@@ -183,13 +183,7 @@ IN: bootstrap.syntax
 
     "(" [
         ")" parse-effect
-        word dup [
-            swap
-            [ "declared-effect" set-word-prop ]
-            [ drop redefined ]
-            [ drop +inlined+ changed-definition ]
-            2tri
-        ] [ 2drop ] if
+        word dup [ set-stack-effect ] [ 2drop ] if
     ] define-syntax
 
     "((" [
diff --git a/core/words/words.factor b/core/words/words.factor
index 226c4949ff..806625aa83 100755
--- a/core/words/words.factor
+++ b/core/words/words.factor
@@ -144,6 +144,14 @@ M: object redefined drop ;
     dup +inlined+ changed-definition
     dup crossref? [ dup xref ] when drop ;
 
+: set-stack-effect ( effect word -- )
+    2dup "declared-effect" word-prop = [ 2drop ] [
+        swap
+        [ "declared-effect" set-word-prop ]
+        [ drop [ redefined ] [ +inlined+ changed-definition ] bi ]
+        2bi
+    ] if ;
+
 : define-declared ( word def effect -- )
     pick swap "declared-effect" set-word-prop
     define ;