diff --git a/tests/cputestdata/cpu-convert.py b/tests/cputestdata/cpu-convert.py
index 898d42f107..e069408c8c 100755
--- a/tests/cputestdata/cpu-convert.py
+++ b/tests/cputestdata/cpu-convert.py
@@ -174,6 +174,8 @@ cpuidMap = [
 def parseFeatureWords(path):
     features = None
 
+    dec = json.JSONDecoder()
+
     with open(path, "r") as f:
         s = f.read()
 
@@ -220,8 +222,6 @@ def propAdd(props, feature, value):
         props[name] = value
 
 
-dec = json.JSONDecoder()
-
 for path in sys.argv[1:]:
     props, cpuid = parseFeatureWords(path)