diff --git a/src/library/unifier.cpp b/src/library/unifier.cpp
index 2dfaaa6bc..aa7b03012 100644
--- a/src/library/unifier.cpp
+++ b/src/library/unifier.cpp
@@ -62,6 +62,8 @@ bool context_check(expr const & e, buffer<expr> const & locals) {
                 failed = true;
                 return false;
             }
+            if (is_metavar(e))
+                return false; // do not visit type
             return has_local(e);
         });
     return !failed;