diff --git a/compiler/fir/fir2ir/src/org/jetbrains/kotlin/fir/backend/Fir2IrVisitor.kt b/compiler/fir/fir2ir/src/org/jetbrains/kotlin/fir/backend/Fir2IrVisitor.kt
index 77460fa3292..a0978efe387 100644
--- a/compiler/fir/fir2ir/src/org/jetbrains/kotlin/fir/backend/Fir2IrVisitor.kt
+++ b/compiler/fir/fir2ir/src/org/jetbrains/kotlin/fir/backend/Fir2IrVisitor.kt
@@ -978,7 +978,7 @@ class Fir2IrVisitor(
                 }
             }
             is FirClassReferenceExpression -> {
-                argument.classTypeRef.coneTypeSafe<ConeClassLikeType>().toIrClassSymbol()
+                (argument.classTypeRef.coneType.lowerBoundIfFlexible() as? ConeClassLikeType)?.toIrClassSymbol()
             }
             else -> null
         }