diff --git a/cmd/cosign/cli/sign/sign_blob.go b/cmd/cosign/cli/sign/sign_blob.go
index bfb00b4ed01..341f89bce21 100644
--- a/cmd/cosign/cli/sign/sign_blob.go
+++ b/cmd/cosign/cli/sign/sign_blob.go
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ func SignBlobCmd(ctx context.Context, ko KeyOpts, regOpts options.RegistryOption
 	}
 
 	if options.EnableExperimental() {
-		rekorBytes, err := sv.Bytes(ctx)
+		rekorBytes, err = sv.Bytes(ctx)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}