diff --git a/Tests/test_masscons.py b/Tests/test_masscons.py
index 767ed16a2..015a2c3eb 100644
--- a/Tests/test_masscons.py
+++ b/Tests/test_masscons.py
@@ -24,8 +24,10 @@ def test_conservation(self):
         fdir = os.path.abspath(".")
         fname = os.path.join(fdir, "datlog")
         df = pd.read_csv(fname, sep="\\s+")
-        npt.assert_allclose(df.mass, df.mass[0], rtol=1e-13)
-        npt.assert_allclose(df.rho_E, df.rho_E[0], rtol=1e-13)
+        init_mass = df.mass[0]
+        npt.assert_allclose(df.mass, init_mass, rtol=1e-13)
+        init_rho_E = df.rho_E[0]
+        npt.assert_allclose(df.rho_E, init_rho_E, rtol=1e-13)
 
 
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