diff --git a/src/battle/messageBox.c b/src/battle/messageBox.c
index 10f029f..1cfff88 100644
--- a/src/battle/messageBox.c
+++ b/src/battle/messageBox.c
@@ -148,9 +148,12 @@ void drawMessageBox(void)
 static void nextMessage(void)
 {
 	Entity *e, *wingmate;
+	int isWingmate;
 	
 	wingmate = NULL;
 	
+	isWingmate = strcmp(head.next->title, "Wingmate") == 0;
+	
 	playSound(SND_RADIO);
 	
 	for (e = battle.entityHead.next ; e != NULL ; e = e->next)
@@ -163,7 +166,7 @@ static void nextMessage(void)
 				return;
 			}
 			
-			if (strcmp(head.next->title, "Wingmate") == 0 && e->type == ET_FIGHTER && e->speed > 0)
+			if (isWingmate && e->type == ET_FIGHTER && e->speed > 0)
 			{
 				wingmate = e;