diff --git a/core/org.eclipse.cdt.core/parser/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/core/dom/parser/cpp/semantics/CPPVariableReadWriteFlags.java b/core/org.eclipse.cdt.core/parser/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/core/dom/parser/cpp/semantics/CPPVariableReadWriteFlags.java
index 0e43dbdec01..1961e9bb877 100644
--- a/core/org.eclipse.cdt.core/parser/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/core/dom/parser/cpp/semantics/CPPVariableReadWriteFlags.java
+++ b/core/org.eclipse.cdt.core/parser/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/core/dom/parser/cpp/semantics/CPPVariableReadWriteFlags.java
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ public final class CPPVariableReadWriteFlags extends VariableReadWriteFlags {
 				}
 			}
 			// Allow for initialization of primitive types.
-			if (parent.getArguments().length == 1) {
+			if (grand instanceof IASTDeclarator && parent.getArguments().length == 1) {
 				IBinding binding= ((IASTDeclarator) grand).getName().getBinding();
 				if (binding instanceof IVariable) {
 					IType type= ((IVariable) binding).getType();