diff --git a/src/qptr/lower.rs b/src/qptr/lower.rs
index abbcecc..2eec345 100644
--- a/src/qptr/lower.rs
+++ b/src/qptr/lower.rs
@@ -126,6 +126,15 @@ impl<'a> LowerFromSpvPtrs<'a> {
                 global_var_decl.addr_space = AddrSpace::Handles;
             }
         }
+
+        // HACK(eddyb) see also below, but this should at least prevent
+        // errors if the global variable has a valid initializer already.
+        if let DeclDef::Present(def) = &global_var_decl.def {
+            if def.initializer.is_some() && shape_result.is_ok() {
+                shape_result = Ok(shapes::GlobalVarShape::TypedInterface(pointee_type));
+            }
+        }
+
         match shape_result {
             Ok(shape) => {
                 global_var_decl.shape = Some(shape);