diff --git a/src/parser3.h b/src/parser3.h
index fba123c..706a77f 100644
--- a/src/parser3.h
+++ b/src/parser3.h
@@ -650,7 +650,7 @@ inline PRESERVE_NONE ContinuationStatus n_string2(Parser3 *self, char *buf,
             self->writeBuf[0] = (0b00000111 & codepoint) | 0b11110000;
             self->writeBuf += 4;
           }
-        } else if (0xdc00 <= codepoint && codepoint <= 0xdfff) {
+        } else if (0xdc00 <= codepoint && codepoint <= 0xdfff) [[unlikely]] {
           return WeaselJson_REJECT;
         } else {
           if (!(self->flags & WeaselJsonRaw)) {