diff --git a/etc/inc/util.inc b/etc/inc/util.inc
index 2f0b318f5b..6dc24ded8a 100644
--- a/etc/inc/util.inc
+++ b/etc/inc/util.inc
@@ -1533,11 +1533,11 @@ function alias_get_type($name) {
 function alias_expand($name) {
 	global $aliastable;
 
-	// alias names cannot be strictly numeric. redmine #4289
-	if (is_numericint($name))
-		return null;
-	
 	if (isset($aliastable[$name])) {
+		// alias names cannot be strictly numeric. redmine #4289
+		if (is_numericint($name)) {
+			return null;
+		}
 		return "\${$name}";
 	} else if (is_ipaddr($name) || is_subnet($name) || is_port($name) || is_portrange($name)) {
 		return "{$name}";