diff --git a/src/dsl.jl b/src/dsl.jl
index 7f5e2d6125..484c4e7457 100644
--- a/src/dsl.jl
+++ b/src/dsl.jl
@@ -380,23 +380,28 @@ function make_reaction_system(ex::Expr; name = :(gensym(:ReactionSystem)))
     end
 
     quote
-        $ps
         $ivexpr
+        $ps
         $vars
         $sps
         $observed_vars
         $comps
         $diffexpr
 
+        sivs_vec = $sivs
+        rx_eq_vec = $rxexprs
+        vars = setdiff(union($spssym, $varssym, $compssym), $obs_syms)
+        obseqs = $observed_eqs
+        cevents = $continuous_events_expr
+        devents = $discrete_events_expr
+
         Catalyst.remake_ReactionSystem_internal(
             Catalyst.make_ReactionSystem_internal(
-                $rxexprs, $tiv, setdiff(union($spssym, $varssym, $compssym), $obs_syms),
-                $pssym; name = $name, spatial_ivs = $sivs, observed = $observed_eqs,
-                continuous_events = $continuous_events_expr,
-                discrete_events = $discrete_events_expr,
+                rx_eq_vec, $tiv, vars, $pssym; 
+                name = $name, spatial_ivs = sivs_vec, observed = obseqs,
+                continuous_events = cevents, discrete_events = devents,
                 combinatoric_ratelaws = $combinatoric_ratelaws);
-            default_reaction_metadata = $default_reaction_metadata
-        )
+            default_reaction_metadata = $default_reaction_metadata)
     end
 end