diff --git a/includes/model_attribute.php b/includes/model_attribute.php
index 95aebd2..eaf0a6a 100644
--- a/includes/model_attribute.php
+++ b/includes/model_attribute.php
@@ -54,11 +54,13 @@ class Attribute extends phalanx\data\Model

   public function is_tag()
   {
-    return empty($this->title);
+    $title = $this->title;
+    return empty($title);
   }
   public function is_attribute()
   {
-    return !empty($this->title);
+    $title = $this->title;
+    return !empty($title);
   }

   // Returns the access level that |user| has for this attribute for |bug|.