diff --git a/src/pylsl/info.py b/src/pylsl/info.py
index ad089fb..001b91a 100644
--- a/src/pylsl/info.py
+++ b/src/pylsl/info.py
@@ -319,10 +319,10 @@ def get_channel_units(self) -> typing.Optional[list[typing.Optional[str]]]:
 
     def _get_channel_info(self, name) -> typing.Optional[list[typing.Optional[str]]]:
         """Get the 'channel/name' element in the XML tree."""
-        if self.desc().child("channels").empty():
+        channels = self.desc().child("channels")
+        if channels.empty():
             return None
         ch_infos = list()
-        channels = self.desc().child("channels")
         ch = channels.child("channel")
         while not ch.empty():
             ch_info = ch.child(name).first_child().value()