diff --git a/src/cmd/compile/internal/gc/go.go b/src/cmd/compile/internal/gc/go.go
index 1523c5e..d0e4824 100644
--- a/src/cmd/compile/internal/gc/go.go
+++ b/src/cmd/compile/internal/gc/go.go
@@ -425,12 +425,13 @@
 
 var dotlist [10]Dlist // size is max depth of embeddeds
 
+// lexlineno is the line number _after_ the most recently read rune.
+// In particular, it's advanced (or rewound) as newlines are read (or unread).
 var lexlineno int32
 
+// lineno is the line number at the start of the most recently lexed token.
 var lineno int32
 
-var prevlineno int32
-
 var pragcgobuf string
 
 var infile string