diff --git a/dev/dev-agent.sh b/dev/dev-agent.sh
index ee1bfef..df242e7 100755
--- a/dev/dev-agent.sh
+++ b/dev/dev-agent.sh
@@ -572,7 +572,7 @@ else
   issue_block "$ISSUE" "${_PR_WALK_EXIT_REASON:-agent_failed}"
 
   # Write journal entry post-session (before cleanup)
-  outcome="blocked_${_PR_WALK_EXIT_REASON:-agent_failed}"
+  local outcome="blocked_${_PR_WALK_EXIT_REASON:-agent_failed}"
   profile_write_journal "$ISSUE" "$ISSUE_TITLE" "$outcome" "$FILES_CHANGED" || true
 
   CLAIMED=false