diff --git a/loki/expression/mappers.py b/loki/expression/mappers.py
index 0849ecff9..a3aff74c6 100644
--- a/loki/expression/mappers.py
+++ b/loki/expression/mappers.py
@@ -597,6 +597,8 @@ def map_variable_symbol(self, expr, *args, **kwargs):
         if expr.scope is None:
             if parent is expr.parent and not is_type_changed:
                 return expr
+            elif not is_type_changed:
+                return expr.clone(parent=parent)
             return expr.clone(parent=parent, type=new_type)
 
         if parent is expr.parent: