https://gcc.gnu.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=102937
--- Comment #2 from Andrew Pinski <pinskia at gcc dot gnu.org> --- That is the following is undefined: char *a = NULL; size_t &t = reinterpret_cast<size_t&>(a); t = 0x8; printf("%p\n", a); GCC does give a warning in the above case too: <source>: In function 'int main()': <source>:69:39: warning: dereferencing type-punned pointer will break strict-aliasing rules [-Wstrict-aliasing] 69 | size_t &t = reinterpret_cast<size_t&>(a); | ^