diff --git a/ConflictSet.cpp b/ConflictSet.cpp
index 88ff72c..02b2202 100644
--- a/ConflictSet.cpp
+++ b/ConflictSet.cpp
@@ -2033,12 +2033,7 @@ struct __attribute__((visibility("hidden"))) ConflictSet::Impl {
     if (n == root) {
       n = nextLogical(n);
     }
-    for (; keyUpdates > 0; --keyUpdates) {
-      if (n == nullptr) {
-        removalKey = {};
-        return;
-      }
-
+    for (; keyUpdates > 0 && n != nullptr; --keyUpdates) {
       if (std::max(n->entry.pointVersion, n->entry.rangeVersion) <=
           oldestVersion) {
         // Any transaction n would have prevented from committing is
@@ -2052,6 +2047,10 @@ struct __attribute__((visibility("hidden"))) ConflictSet::Impl {
         n = nextLogical(n);
       }
     }
+    if (n == nullptr) {
+      removalKey = {};
+      return;
+    }
     removalKeyArena = Arena();
     removalKey = getSearchPath(removalKeyArena, n);
   }