diff --git a/bot.py b/bot.py
index c36f16a..0b03745 100644
--- a/bot.py
+++ b/bot.py
@@ -139,6 +139,7 @@ async def create_ticket(
     title: str,
     message_id: str = None
 ):
+    global ticket_counter
     guild_id = interaction.guild.id if interaction.guild else None
     settings = load_server_settings(guild_id)
     if not settings or not settings.get("active_channel_id"):
@@ -149,7 +150,6 @@ async def create_ticket(
         return
     active_channel = bot.get_channel(settings["active_channel_id"])
     ticket_id = f"TICKET-{ticket_counter:04d}"
-    global ticket_counter
     ticket_counter += 1
     referenced_message_content = None
     referenced_message_author = None