diff --git a/src/rules/namespace.js b/src/rules/namespace.js
index 9033871d4..74e45ccaf 100644
--- a/src/rules/namespace.js
+++ b/src/rules/namespace.js
@@ -131,11 +131,12 @@ exports.create = function namespaceRule(context) {
           break
         }
 
-        if (namespace.get(dereference.property.name) == null) return
+        const exported = namespace.get(dereference.property.name)
+        if (exported == null) return
 
         // stash and pop
         namepath.push(dereference.property.name)
-        namespace = namespace.get(dereference.property.name).namespace
+        namespace = exported.namespace
         dereference = dereference.parent
       }