diff --git a/xs_json.h b/xs_json.h
index e1c05f4..6f42eab 100644
--- a/xs_json.h
+++ b/xs_json.h
@@ -300,14 +300,13 @@ static xs_val *_xs_json_load_lexer(FILE *f, js_type *t)
                 else {
                     char cc = c;
                     v = xs_insert_m(v, offset, &cc, 1);
+                    offset++;
                 }
 
                 if (!xs_is_string(v)) {
                     *t = JS_ERROR;
                     break;
                 }
-
-                offset++;
             }
         }