diff --git a/utils.ts b/utils.ts
index 978f9719..45a182f2 100644
--- a/utils.ts
+++ b/utils.ts
@@ -36,6 +36,12 @@ export function* getTermYear(
   start?: number | TermYear,
   { goBackwards = false, skipCurrent = false }: GetTermYearOptions = {}
 ) {
+  const allTerms = [...TERMS];
+
+  if (goBackwards) {
+    allTerms.reverse();
+  }
+
   const today = new Date();
   const todayYear = today.getFullYear();
   const todayTerm = TERMS[Math.trunc(today.getMonth() / 4)];
@@ -43,13 +49,7 @@ export function* getTermYear(
   start ??= { term: todayTerm, year: todayYear };
 
   if (typeof start === "number") {
-    start = { term: TERMS[0], year: start };
-  }
-
-  const allTerms = [...TERMS];
-
-  if (goBackwards) {
-    allTerms.reverse();
+    start = { term: allTerms[0], year: start };
   }
 
   let currentYear = start.year;