diff --git a/devito/passes/clusters/misc.py b/devito/passes/clusters/misc.py
index d581accb9c..5acc0b78be 100644
--- a/devito/passes/clusters/misc.py
+++ b/devito/passes/clusters/misc.py
@@ -97,7 +97,8 @@ def callback(self, clusters, prefix):
 
             # Lifted scalar clusters cannot be guarded
             # as they would not be in the scope of the guarded clusters
-            if c.is_scalar:
+            # unless the guard is for an outer dimension
+            if c.is_scalar and not (prefix[:-1] and c.guards):
                 guards = {}
             else:
                 guards = c.guards
diff --git a/tests/test_dse.py b/tests/test_dse.py
index 98af49c27a..bde9c1b27e 100644
--- a/tests/test_dse.py
+++ b/tests/test_dse.py
@@ -1218,7 +1218,7 @@ def test_catch_best_invariant_v2(self):
         assert len(arrays) == 4
 
         exprs = FindNodes(Expression).visit(op)
-        sqrt_exprs = exprs[2:4]
+        sqrt_exprs = exprs[:2]
         assert all(e.write in arrays for e in sqrt_exprs)
         assert all(e.expr.rhs.is_Pow for e in sqrt_exprs)
         assert all(e.write._mem_heap and not e.write._mem_external for e in sqrt_exprs)