diff --git a/plugin/makecols.vim b/plugin/makecols.vim
index a0c65e0..12958ee 100644
--- a/plugin/makecols.vim
+++ b/plugin/makecols.vim
@@ -13,13 +13,13 @@ function! s:get_visual_selection()
     let lines = getline(lnum1, lnum2)
     let lines[-1] = lines[-1][: col2 - (&selection == 'inclusive' ? 1 : 2)]
     let lines[0] = lines[0][col1 - 1:]
+    let $clipboard = lines
     return lines
     " return join(lines, "\n")
 endfunction
 
 function! s:replace_selected_text()
     execute "normal! d"
-    let $clipboard = lines
     execute "normal! \"*p"
     echo "Just tried to replace the selection with the lines."
     return ""