diff --git a/src/lj_opt_dce.c b/src/lj_opt_dce.c
index 083239f6..49cc766e 100644
--- a/src/lj_opt_dce.c
+++ b/src/lj_opt_dce.c
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ static void dce_marksnap(jit_State *J)
     MSize n, nent = snap->nent;
     for (n = 0; n < nent; n++) {
       IRRef ref = snap_ref(map[n]);
-      if (!irref_isk(ref))
+      if (ref >= REF_FIRST)
 	irt_setmark(IR(ref)->t);
     }
   }
@@ -54,8 +54,8 @@ static void dce_propagate(jit_State *J)
       pchain[IR_NOP] = &ir->prev;
       continue;
     }
-    if (!irref_isk(ir->op1)) irt_setmark(IR(ir->op1)->t);
-    if (!irref_isk(ir->op2)) irt_setmark(IR(ir->op2)->t);
+    if (ir->op1 >= REF_FIRST) irt_setmark(IR(ir->op1)->t);
+    if (ir->op2 >= REF_FIRST) irt_setmark(IR(ir->op2)->t);
   }
   *pchain[IR_NOP] = 0;  /* Terminate NOP chain. */
 }