diff --git a/src/freedreno/ir3/ir3_nir.c b/src/freedreno/ir3/ir3_nir.c
index 331576db804..25029dc2c99 100644
--- a/src/freedreno/ir3/ir3_nir.c
+++ b/src/freedreno/ir3/ir3_nir.c
@@ -87,6 +87,7 @@ ir3_optimize_loop(struct ir3_compiler *compiler, nir_shader *s)
       progress |= OPT(s, nir_lower_phis_to_scalar, false);
 
       progress |= OPT(s, nir_copy_prop);
+      progress |= OPT(s, nir_opt_deref);
       progress |= OPT(s, nir_opt_dce);
       progress |= OPT(s, nir_opt_cse);
       static int gcm = -1;