diff --git a/gramps/plugins/lib/libgedcom.py b/gramps/plugins/lib/libgedcom.py
index 62ed678ad..05dfe79e2 100644
--- a/gramps/plugins/lib/libgedcom.py
+++ b/gramps/plugins/lib/libgedcom.py
@@ -5152,7 +5152,7 @@ class GedcomParser(UpdateCallback):
             #    +1 SOUR @<XREF:SOUR>@  {0:M}
             if not line.data:
                 self.__add_msg(_("Empty note ignored"), line, state)
-                self.__skip_subordinate_levels(level+1, state)
+                self.__skip_subordinate_levels(state.level+1, state)
             else:
                 new_note = Note(line.data)
                 new_note.set_gramps_id(self.nid_map[""])