diff --git a/crates/aiken-lang/src/gen_uplc.rs b/crates/aiken-lang/src/gen_uplc.rs
index bb474793..b2495141 100644
--- a/crates/aiken-lang/src/gen_uplc.rs
+++ b/crates/aiken-lang/src/gen_uplc.rs
@@ -956,7 +956,7 @@ impl<'a> CodeGenerator<'a> {
                 } else if !props.remove_unused {
                     AirTree::let_assignment(name, value, then)
                 } else {
-                    AirTree::no_op()
+                    AirTree::no_op().hoist_over(then)
                 }
             }
             Pattern::List { elements, tail, .. } => {