diff --git a/CompState.hs b/CompState.hs
index 1dd6ec8..0572d72 100644
--- a/CompState.hs
+++ b/CompState.hs
@@ -122,11 +122,15 @@ defineName n nd
 
 -- | Find the definition of a name.
 lookupName :: (CSM m, Die m) => A.Name -> m A.NameDef
-lookupName n
+lookupName n = lookupNameOrError n (die $ "cannot find name " ++ A.nameName n)
+
+lookupNameOrError :: CSM m => A.Name -> m A.NameDef -> m A.NameDef
+lookupNameOrError n err
     =  do ps <- get
           case Map.lookup (A.nameName n) (csNames ps) of
             Just nd -> return nd
-            Nothing -> die $ "cannot find name " ++ A.nameName n
+            Nothing -> err
+
 --}}}
 
 --{{{  warnings
diff --git a/ParseOccam.hs b/ParseOccam.hs
index 934c040..6f45d9d 100644
--- a/ParseOccam.hs
+++ b/ParseOccam.hs
@@ -1218,7 +1218,7 @@ allocation
            p <- placement
            sColon
            eol
-           nd <- lookupName n
+           nd <- lookupNameOrError n $ dieP m ("Attempted to PLACE unknown variable: " ++ (show $ A.nameName n))
            defineName n $ nd { A.ndPlacement = p }
            return []
     <?> "allocation"