--- a/src/eval.c
+++ b/src/eval.c
@@ -5841,13 +5841,43 @@ set_ref_in_ht(hashtab_T *ht, int copyID,
 }
 
 /*
+ * Mark a dict and its items with "copyID".
+ * Returns TRUE if setting references failed somehow.
+ */
+    int
+set_ref_in_dict(dict_T *d, int copyID)
+{
+    if (d != NULL && d->dv_copyID != copyID)
+    {
+	d->dv_copyID = copyID;
+	return set_ref_in_ht(&d->dv_hashtab, copyID, NULL);
+    }
+    return FALSE;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Mark a list and its items with "copyID".
+ * Returns TRUE if setting references failed somehow.
+ */
+    int
+set_ref_in_list(list_T *ll, int copyID)
+{
+    if (ll != NULL && ll->lv_copyID != copyID)
+    {
+	ll->lv_copyID = copyID;
+	return set_ref_in_list_items(ll, copyID, NULL);
+    }
+    return FALSE;
+}
+
+/*
  * Mark all lists and dicts referenced through list "l" with "copyID".
  * "ht_stack" is used to add hashtabs to be marked.  Can be NULL.
  *
  * Returns TRUE if setting references failed somehow.
  */
     int
-set_ref_in_list(list_T *l, int copyID, ht_stack_T **ht_stack)
+set_ref_in_list_items(list_T *l, int copyID, ht_stack_T **ht_stack)
 {
     listitem_T	 *li;
     int		 abort = FALSE;
@@ -5930,7 +5960,7 @@ set_ref_in_item(
 	    ll->lv_copyID = copyID;
 	    if (list_stack == NULL)
 	    {
-		abort = set_ref_in_list(ll, copyID, ht_stack);
+		abort = set_ref_in_list_items(ll, copyID, ht_stack);
 	    }
 	    else
 	    {