diff --git a/plugins/lua/building-hacks.lua b/plugins/lua/building-hacks.lua
index 2a242dcc8..7304dfae3 100644
--- a/plugins/lua/building-hacks.lua
+++ b/plugins/lua/building-hacks.lua
@@ -147,13 +147,13 @@ function registerBuilding(args)
     end
     --animations and connections next:
     local gears
+    local frames
 
     local frameLength
     local animate=args.animate
     if not auto_gears then
         gears=args.gears or {}
         frameLength=1
-        local frames
         if animate~=nil then
             frameLength=animate.frameLength
             if animate.isMechanical then