diff --git a/butils.py b/butils.py
index 6e2142d..25b0c8e 100644
--- a/butils.py
+++ b/butils.py
@@ -617,9 +617,9 @@ def set_text_on_curve(text_properties):
         # now we need to compensate for curvature
         # otherwise letters will be closer together the curvier the bezier is
         # this could be done more efficiently, but whatever
+        curve_compensation = 0
         previous_location = calc_point_on_bezier_curve(mom, advance, False)
         new_location = calc_point_on_bezier_curve(mom, advance + glyph_advance, False)
-        curve_compensation = 0
         while (previous_location - new_location).length < glyph_advance:
             curve_compensation = curve_compensation + glyph_advance * 0.01
             new_location = calc_point_on_bezier_curve(mom, advance + glyph_advance + curve_compensation, False)