diff --git a/bin/lesson_check.py b/bin/lesson_check.py
index 100e02dd..441c1a71 100755
--- a/bin/lesson_check.py
+++ b/bin/lesson_check.py
@@ -398,7 +398,8 @@ def match(self, node, pattern):
                     return False
         return True
 
-    def get_val(self, node, *chain):
+    @staticmethod
+    def get_val(node, *chain):
         """Get value one or more levels down."""
 
         curr = node