diff --git a/check_iperf3.py b/check_iperf3.py
index abf6f28..ebdf20d 100755
--- a/check_iperf3.py
+++ b/check_iperf3.py
@@ -197,10 +197,11 @@ def determine_result(options, json_data) -> Tuple[int, Optional[List[str]]]:
             statuslines.append("transfer rate below warning threshold")
 
     if not options.udp and options.retrans_crit and options.retrans_warn:
-        if json_data["end"]["sum_sent"]["retransmits"] >= options.retrans_crit:
+        retransmits = json_data["end"]["sum_sent"]["retransmits"]
+        if retransmits >= options.retrans_crit:
             rc = max(rc, 2)
             statuslines.append("retransmissions over critical threshold")
-        elif json_data["end"]["sum_sent"]["retransmits"] >= options.retrans_warn:
+        elif retransmits >= options.retrans_warn:
             rc = max(rc, 1)
             statuslines.append("retransmissions over warning threshold")