--- makeinfo/html.c.orig	2006-11-11 15:27:18.000000000 -0800
+++ makeinfo/html.c	2006-11-11 15:37:41.000000000 -0800
@@ -445,7 +445,7 @@
     return 0;
 
   /* Find the end of the previous tag.  */
-  while (output_paragraph[check_position-1] != '>' && check_position > 0)
+  while (check_position > 0 && output_paragraph[check_position-1] != '>')
     check_position--;
 
   /* Save stuff between tag's end to output_paragraph's end.  */
@@ -462,7 +462,7 @@
     }
 
   /* Find the start of the previous tag.  */
-  while (output_paragraph[check_position-1] != '<' && check_position > 0)
+  while (check_position > 0 && output_paragraph[check_position-1] != '<')
     check_position--;
 
   /* Check to see if this is the tag.  */