diff --git a/src/search.c b/src/search.c
index 3c413b9d..bd3ecabe 100644
--- a/src/search.c
+++ b/src/search.c
@@ -606,15 +606,15 @@ ssize_t do_replace_loop(const char *needle, bool whole_word_only,
 		}
 
 		if (choice == 1 || replaceall) {  /* Yes, replace it. */
-			char *copy;
 			size_t length_change;
+			char *altered;
 
 #ifndef NANO_TINY
 			add_undo(REPLACE, NULL);
 #endif
-			copy = replace_line(needle);
+			altered = replace_line(needle);
 
-			length_change = strlen(copy) - strlen(openfile->current->data);
+			length_change = strlen(altered) - strlen(openfile->current->data);
 
 #ifndef NANO_TINY
 			/* If the mark was on and it was located after the cursor,
@@ -655,9 +655,9 @@ ssize_t do_replace_loop(const char *needle, bool whole_word_only,
 				openfile->current_x += match_len + length_change;
 
 			/* Update the file size, and put the changed line into place. */
-			openfile->totsize += mbstrlen(copy) - mbstrlen(openfile->current->data);
+			openfile->totsize += mbstrlen(altered) - mbstrlen(openfile->current->data);
 			free(openfile->current->data);
-			openfile->current->data = copy;
+			openfile->current->data = altered;
 
 			set_modified();
 			as_an_at = TRUE;