diff --git a/hw/net/e1000e_core.c b/hw/net/e1000e_core.c
index 471c3ed20b..46e156a5dd 100644
--- a/hw/net/e1000e_core.c
+++ b/hw/net/e1000e_core.c
@@ -1392,10 +1392,13 @@ e1000e_write_payload_frag_to_rx_buffers(E1000ECore *core,
                                         dma_addr_t data_len)
 {
     while (data_len > 0) {
-        uint32_t cur_buf_len = core->rxbuf_sizes[bastate->cur_idx];
-        uint32_t cur_buf_bytes_left = cur_buf_len -
-                                      bastate->written[bastate->cur_idx];
-        uint32_t bytes_to_write = MIN(data_len, cur_buf_bytes_left);
+        uint32_t cur_buf_len, cur_buf_bytes_left, bytes_to_write;
+
+        assert(bastate->cur_idx < MAX_PS_BUFFERS);
+
+        cur_buf_len = core->rxbuf_sizes[bastate->cur_idx];
+        cur_buf_bytes_left = cur_buf_len - bastate->written[bastate->cur_idx];
+        bytes_to_write = MIN(data_len, cur_buf_bytes_left);
 
         trace_e1000e_rx_desc_buff_write(bastate->cur_idx,
                                         ba[bastate->cur_idx],
@@ -1414,8 +1417,6 @@ e1000e_write_payload_frag_to_rx_buffers(E1000ECore *core,
         if (bastate->written[bastate->cur_idx] == cur_buf_len) {
             bastate->cur_idx++;
         }
-
-        assert(bastate->cur_idx < MAX_PS_BUFFERS);
     }
 }