diff --git a/src/dotty/tools/dotc/core/Types.scala b/src/dotty/tools/dotc/core/Types.scala
index 84602ccf7649..43276d254314 100644
--- a/src/dotty/tools/dotc/core/Types.scala
+++ b/src/dotty/tools/dotc/core/Types.scala
@@ -2558,7 +2558,10 @@ object Types {
      *  uninstantiated
      */
     def instanceOpt(implicit ctx: Context): Type =
-      if (inst.exists) inst else ctx.typerState.instType(this)
+      if (inst.exists) inst else {
+        ctx.typerState.ephemeral = true
+        ctx.typerState.instType(this)
+      }
 
     /** Is the variable already instantiated? */
     def isInstantiated(implicit ctx: Context) = instanceOpt.exists
diff --git a/tests/pending/pos/hkrange.scala b/tests/pos/hkrange.scala
similarity index 100%
rename from tests/pending/pos/hkrange.scala
rename to tests/pos/hkrange.scala