diff --git a/vyper/codegen/ir_node.py b/vyper/codegen/ir_node.py
index 81ec47f10f..6ed6345674 100644
--- a/vyper/codegen/ir_node.py
+++ b/vyper/codegen/ir_node.py
@@ -425,8 +425,6 @@ def int_value(self) -> int:
 
     @property
     def is_pointer(self) -> bool:
-        # not used yet but should help refactor/clarify downstream code
-        # eventually
         return self.location is not None
 
     @property  # probably could be cached_property but be paranoid
diff --git a/vyper/codegen/stmt.py b/vyper/codegen/stmt.py
index b306d83376..53af7a9e10 100644
--- a/vyper/codegen/stmt.py
+++ b/vyper/codegen/stmt.py
@@ -257,8 +257,8 @@ def _parse_For_list(self):
 
         ret = ["seq"]
 
-        # list literal, force it to memory first
-        if iter_list.is_literal:
+        # if it's a list literal, force it to memory first
+        if not iter_list.is_pointer:
             tmp_list = self.context.new_internal_variable(iter_list.typ)
             ret.append(make_setter(tmp_list, iter_list))
             iter_list = tmp_list