diff --git a/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/vreplication/vcopier.go b/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/vreplication/vcopier.go
index c19f80555d2..7d3ebe0aff6 100644
--- a/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/vreplication/vcopier.go
+++ b/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/vreplication/vcopier.go
@@ -146,9 +146,7 @@ func (vc *vcopier) copyNext(ctx context.Context, settings binlogplayer.VRSetting
 func (vc *vcopier) catchup(ctx context.Context, copyState map[string]*sqltypes.Result) error {
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(ctx)
 	defer cancel()
-	defer func() {
-		vc.vr.stats.PhaseTimings.Record("catchup", time.Now())
-	}()
+	defer vc.vr.stats.PhaseTimings.Record("catchup", time.Now())
 
 	settings, err := binlogplayer.ReadVRSettings(vc.vr.dbClient, vc.vr.id)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -198,10 +196,8 @@ func (vc *vcopier) catchup(ctx context.Context, copyState map[string]*sqltypes.R
 // committed with the lastpk. This allows for consistent resumability.
 func (vc *vcopier) copyTable(ctx context.Context, tableName string, copyState map[string]*sqltypes.Result) error {
 	defer vc.vr.dbClient.Rollback()
-	defer func() {
-		vc.vr.stats.PhaseTimings.Record("copy", time.Now())
-		vc.vr.stats.CopyLoopCount.Add(1)
-	}()
+	defer vc.vr.stats.PhaseTimings.Record("copy", time.Now())
+	defer vc.vr.stats.CopyLoopCount.Add(1)
 
 	log.Infof("Copying table %s, lastpk: %v", tableName, copyState[tableName])
 
@@ -334,9 +330,7 @@ func (vc *vcopier) copyTable(ctx context.Context, tableName string, copyState ma
 }
 
 func (vc *vcopier) fastForward(ctx context.Context, copyState map[string]*sqltypes.Result, gtid string) error {
-	defer func() {
-		vc.vr.stats.PhaseTimings.Record("fastforward", time.Now())
-	}()
+	defer vc.vr.stats.PhaseTimings.Record("fastforward", time.Now())
 	pos, err := mysql.DecodePosition(gtid)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err