diff --git a/vlib/v/parser/parse_type.v b/vlib/v/parser/parse_type.v
index 13eb3c6e20..76a72b6201 100644
--- a/vlib/v/parser/parse_type.v
+++ b/vlib/v/parser/parse_type.v
@@ -152,8 +152,10 @@ pub fn (mut p Parser) parse_type() table.Type {
 	if p.tok.kind == .mul {
 		p.error('use `&Type` instead of `*Type` when declaring references')
 	}
+	mut nr_amps := 0
 	// &Type
 	for p.tok.kind == .amp {
+		nr_amps++
 		nr_muls++
 		p.next()
 	}
@@ -178,7 +180,7 @@ pub fn (mut p Parser) parse_type() table.Type {
 	}
 	if nr_muls > 0 {
 		typ = typ.set_nr_muls(nr_muls)
-		if is_array {
+		if is_array && nr_amps > 0 {
 			p.error('V arrays are already references behind the scenes,
 there is no need to use a reference to an array (e.g. use `[]string` instead of `&[]string`).
 If you need to modify an array in a function, use a mutable argument instead: `fn foo(mut s []string) {}`.')