diff --git a/solo_obt2utc.pro b/solo_obt2utc.pro
index 84ad2d7a3b27242ebc4d1d4218164741a593f37e..0be3aef62a7671e5ed43d9e581b0d7e3f1acdaec 100644
--- a/solo_obt2utc.pro
+++ b/solo_obt2utc.pro
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 function solo_obt2utc, obt
 
 	; check if obt is in the correct form (string, with coarse and fine times)
-	
-	if isa(obt, /number) then obt = decode_obt(obt, /from_decimal)
+
+	if isa(obt, /number) then obt_decoded = decode_obt(obt, /from_decimal) else obt_decoded = obt
 
 	; convert the requested obt into ephemeris time
 
-	cspice_scs2e, -144L, obt, et
+	cspice_scs2e, -144L, obt_decoded, et
 
 	; convert the ephemeris time into utc