diff --git a/ubuntutools/sponsor_patch/sponsor_patch.py b/ubuntutools/sponsor_patch/sponsor_patch.py
index dbab4a1..821fc57 100644
--- a/ubuntutools/sponsor_patch/sponsor_patch.py
+++ b/ubuntutools/sponsor_patch/sponsor_patch.py
@@ -263,8 +263,8 @@ def sponsor_patch(bug_number, build, builder, edit, keyid, lpinstance, update,
 
         if successful:
             source_package.check_sync_request_version(bug_number, task)
-            successful = source_package.check_version(
-                    task.get_previous_version())
+            previous_version = task.get_previous_version()
+            successful = source_package.check_version(previous_version)
 
         if successful and build:
             dist = UbuntuDistroInfo().devel()