diff --git a/include/boost/json/impl/serializer.ipp b/include/boost/json/impl/serializer.ipp
index df6dfea46..3d3b028bc 100644
--- a/include/boost/json/impl/serializer.ipp
+++ b/include/boost/json/impl/serializer.ipp
@@ -294,6 +294,13 @@ do_str2:
 
     // slow loop,
     // handle escapes
+    if( false )
+    {
+do_esc1:
+        BOOST_ASSERT(ss);
+        ss.append(buf_[0]);
+    }
+
 do_str3:
     while(BOOST_JSON_LIKELY(ss))
     {
@@ -351,13 +358,6 @@ do_str3:
     }
     return suspend(state::str3);
 
-do_esc1:
-    if(BOOST_JSON_LIKELY(ss))
-        ss.append(buf_[0]);
-    else
-        return suspend(state::esc1);
-    goto do_str3;
-
 do_utf1:
     if(BOOST_JSON_LIKELY(ss))
         ss.append('u');