diff --git a/core/effects/effects.factor b/core/effects/effects.factor
index c1288052b1..658029d826 100644
--- a/core/effects/effects.factor
+++ b/core/effects/effects.factor
@@ -132,4 +132,4 @@ ERROR: bad-stack-effect word expected got ;
 
 : check-stack-effect ( word effect -- )
     over stack-effect 2dup effect=
-    [ 3drop ] [ bad-stack-effect ] if ;
+    [ 3drop ] [ swap bad-stack-effect ] if ;