diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index cc0bf406..5c0b29af 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-8.3.543
+8.3.544
diff --git a/lef/lefRead.c b/lef/lefRead.c
index 0626a47d..7d9bb76e 100644
--- a/lef/lefRead.c
+++ b/lef/lefRead.c
@@ -2365,7 +2365,7 @@ origin_error:
 		     * importForiegn.
 		     */
 		}
-		LefEndStatement(f);
+		if (result != -1) LefEndStatement(f);
 		break;
 foreign_error:
 		LefError(LEF_ERROR, "Bad origin in macro FOREIGN; requires "