diff --git a/compiler/lex.c b/compiler/lex.c
index 6c29b46..40f63d9 100644
--- a/compiler/lex.c
+++ b/compiler/lex.c
@@ -121,6 +121,14 @@ peek(LexState *ls)
 	return *ls->fwd;
 }
 
+/* Moves the forward pointer and the column count by one */
+static void
+next(LexState *ls)
+{
+	++ls->fwd;
+	++ls->cur_loc.column;
+}
+
 static void
 backup(LexState *ls, int n)
 {
@@ -460,8 +468,7 @@ lex_scan(LexState *ls)
 	case '!':
 		if (peek(ls) == '=') {
 			token.id = T_NOTEQUAL;
-			++ls->fwd;
-			++ls->cur_loc.column;
+			next(ls);
 		} else {
 			token.id = T_EXCLAMATION;
 		}
@@ -485,8 +492,7 @@ lex_scan(LexState *ls)
 	case '=':
 		if (peek(ls) == '=') {
 			token.id = T_LOGICEQUAL;
-			++ls->fwd;
-			++ls->cur_loc.column;
+			next(ls);
 		} else {
 			token.id = T_EQUAL;
 		}