diff --git a/ffmpeg.c b/ffmpeg.c
index dcc92ac481..cbbd3e7b1e 100644
--- a/ffmpeg.c
+++ b/ffmpeg.c
@@ -522,7 +522,7 @@ static void assert_codec_experimental(AVCodecContext *c, int encoder)
         av_log(NULL, AV_LOG_ERROR, "%s '%s' is experimental and might produce bad "
                 "results.\nAdd '-strict experimental' if you want to use it.\n",
                 codec_string, c->codec->name);
-        codec = encoder ? avcodec_find_encoder(codec->id) : avcodec_find_decoder(codec->id);
+        codec = encoder ? avcodec_find_encoder(c->codec->id) : avcodec_find_decoder(c->codec->id);
         if (!(codec->capabilities & CODEC_CAP_EXPERIMENTAL))
             av_log(NULL, AV_LOG_ERROR, "Or use the non experimental %s '%s'.\n",
                    codec_string, codec->name);