diff --git a/lang/lex.c b/lang/lex.c
index d2221ca..b16447c 100644
--- a/lang/lex.c
+++ b/lang/lex.c
@@ -1020,14 +1020,14 @@ static enum ivy_status pump_tokens(struct ivy_lexer *lex)
 		c = peek(lex);
 	}
 
-	if (char_can_begin_symbol(c)) {
-		return read_symbol(lex);
-	}
-
 	if (isalpha(c) || c == '_') {
 		return read_ident(lex);
 	}
 
+	if (char_can_begin_symbol(c)) {
+		return read_symbol(lex);
+	}
+
 	if (isdigit(c)) {
 		return read_number(lex);
 	}