diff --git a/devices.py b/devices.py
index 1cbcbbd..b75505b 100644
--- a/devices.py
+++ b/devices.py
@@ -174,6 +174,7 @@ class FrappyConfig(Device):
                     continue
                 if dev:
                     for aliasname in aliasnames:
+                        devcfg = ('nicos.core.DeviceAlias', {})
                         session.configured_devices[aliasname] = devcfg
                         session.dynamic_devices[aliasname] = 'frappy'
                         aliasdev = previous_aliases.pop(aliasname, None)
@@ -181,7 +182,6 @@ class FrappyConfig(Device):
                             session.log.debug('change alias %r -> %r', aliasname, devname)
                         else:
                             session.log.debug('create alias %r -> %r', aliasname, devname)
-                            devcfg = ('nicos.core.DeviceAlias', {})
                             aliasdev = session.createDevice(aliasname, recreate=True, explicit=True)
                         aliasdev.alias = devname
                     aliasname = aliasnames[0]