diff --git a/py/compile.c b/py/compile.c
index 58f6631c4b..3fb45cd69c 100644
--- a/py/compile.c
+++ b/py/compile.c
@@ -41,13 +41,21 @@
 // TODO need to mangle __attr names
 
 typedef enum {
+// define rules with a compile function
 #define DEF_RULE(rule, comp, kind, ...) PN_##rule,
+#define DEF_RULE_NC(rule, kind, ...)
 #include "py/grammar.h"
 #undef DEF_RULE
-    PN_maximum_number_of,
+#undef DEF_RULE_NC
     PN_string, // special node for non-interned string
     PN_bytes, // special node for non-interned bytes
     PN_const_object, // special node for a constant, generic Python object
+// define rules without a compile function
+#define DEF_RULE(rule, comp, kind, ...)
+#define DEF_RULE_NC(rule, kind, ...) PN_##rule,
+#include "py/grammar.h"
+#undef DEF_RULE
+#undef DEF_RULE_NC
 } pn_kind_t;
 
 #define NEED_METHOD_TABLE MICROPY_EMIT_NATIVE
@@ -2680,14 +2688,14 @@ STATIC void compile_const_object(compiler_t *comp, mp_parse_node_struct_t *pns)
 
 typedef void (*compile_function_t)(compiler_t*, mp_parse_node_struct_t*);
 STATIC const compile_function_t compile_function[] = {
-#define nc NULL
+// only define rules with a compile function
 #define c(f) compile_##f
 #define DEF_RULE(rule, comp, kind, ...) comp,
+#define DEF_RULE_NC(rule, kind, ...)
 #include "py/grammar.h"
-#undef nc
 #undef c
 #undef DEF_RULE
-    NULL,
+#undef DEF_RULE_NC
     compile_string,
     compile_bytes,
     compile_const_object,
@@ -2743,8 +2751,8 @@ STATIC void compile_node(compiler_t *comp, mp_parse_node_t pn) {
     } else {
         mp_parse_node_struct_t *pns = (mp_parse_node_struct_t*)pn;
         EMIT_ARG(set_source_line, pns->source_line);
+        assert(MP_PARSE_NODE_STRUCT_KIND(pns) <= PN_const_object);
         compile_function_t f = compile_function[MP_PARSE_NODE_STRUCT_KIND(pns)];
-        assert(f != NULL);
         f(comp, pns);
     }
 }
diff --git a/py/emitinlinethumb.c b/py/emitinlinethumb.c
index 4062728136..89bcebfead 100644
--- a/py/emitinlinethumb.c
+++ b/py/emitinlinethumb.c
@@ -36,10 +36,21 @@
 #if MICROPY_EMIT_INLINE_THUMB
 
 typedef enum {
+// define rules with a compile function
 #define DEF_RULE(rule, comp, kind, ...) PN_##rule,
+#define DEF_RULE_NC(rule, kind, ...)
 #include "py/grammar.h"
 #undef DEF_RULE
-    PN_maximum_number_of,
+#undef DEF_RULE_NC
+    PN_string, // special node for non-interned string
+    PN_bytes, // special node for non-interned bytes
+    PN_const_object, // special node for a constant, generic Python object
+// define rules without a compile function
+#define DEF_RULE(rule, comp, kind, ...)
+#define DEF_RULE_NC(rule, kind, ...) PN_##rule,
+#include "py/grammar.h"
+#undef DEF_RULE
+#undef DEF_RULE_NC
 } pn_kind_t;
 
 struct _emit_inline_asm_t {
diff --git a/py/grammar.h b/py/grammar.h
index e261aad226..98f6d16aee 100644
--- a/py/grammar.h
+++ b/py/grammar.h
@@ -37,12 +37,12 @@
 // file_input: (NEWLINE | stmt)* ENDMARKER
 // eval_input: testlist NEWLINE* ENDMARKER
 
-DEF_RULE(single_input, nc, or(3), tok(NEWLINE), rule(simple_stmt), rule(compound_stmt))
+DEF_RULE_NC(single_input, or(3), tok(NEWLINE), rule(simple_stmt), rule(compound_stmt))
 DEF_RULE(file_input, c(generic_all_nodes), and_ident(1), opt_rule(file_input_2))
 DEF_RULE(file_input_2, c(generic_all_nodes), one_or_more, rule(file_input_3))
-DEF_RULE(file_input_3, nc, or(2), tok(NEWLINE), rule(stmt))
-DEF_RULE(eval_input, nc, and_ident(2), rule(testlist), opt_rule(eval_input_2))
-DEF_RULE(eval_input_2, nc, and(1), tok(NEWLINE))
+DEF_RULE_NC(file_input_3, or(2), tok(NEWLINE), rule(stmt))
+DEF_RULE_NC(eval_input, and_ident(2), rule(testlist), opt_rule(eval_input_2))
+DEF_RULE_NC(eval_input_2, and(1), tok(NEWLINE))
 
 // decorator: '@' dotted_name [ '(' [arglist] ')' ] NEWLINE
 // decorators: decorator+
@@ -55,42 +55,42 @@ DEF_RULE(eval_input_2, nc, and(1), tok(NEWLINE))
 // varargslist: vfpdef ['=' test] (',' vfpdef ['=' test])* [',' ['*' [vfpdef] (',' vfpdef ['=' test])* [',' '**' vfpdef] | '**' vfpdef]] |  '*' [vfpdef] (',' vfpdef ['=' test])* [',' '**' vfpdef] | '**' vfpdef
 // vfpdef: NAME
 
-DEF_RULE(decorator, nc, and(4), tok(DEL_AT), rule(dotted_name), opt_rule(trailer_paren), tok(NEWLINE))
-DEF_RULE(decorators, nc, one_or_more, rule(decorator))
+DEF_RULE_NC(decorator, and(4), tok(DEL_AT), rule(dotted_name), opt_rule(trailer_paren), tok(NEWLINE))
+DEF_RULE_NC(decorators, one_or_more, rule(decorator))
 DEF_RULE(decorated, c(decorated), and_ident(2), rule(decorators), rule(decorated_body))
 #if MICROPY_PY_ASYNC_AWAIT
-DEF_RULE(decorated_body, nc, or(3), rule(classdef), rule(funcdef), rule(async_funcdef))
-DEF_RULE(async_funcdef, nc, and(2), tok(KW_ASYNC), rule(funcdef))
+DEF_RULE_NC(decorated_body, or(3), rule(classdef), rule(funcdef), rule(async_funcdef))
+DEF_RULE_NC(async_funcdef, and(2), tok(KW_ASYNC), rule(funcdef))
 #else
-DEF_RULE(decorated_body, nc, or(2), rule(classdef), rule(funcdef))
+DEF_RULE_NC(decorated_body, or(2), rule(classdef), rule(funcdef))
 #endif
 DEF_RULE(funcdef, c(funcdef), and_blank(8), tok(KW_DEF), tok(NAME), tok(DEL_PAREN_OPEN), opt_rule(typedargslist), tok(DEL_PAREN_CLOSE), opt_rule(funcdefrettype), tok(DEL_COLON), rule(suite))
-DEF_RULE(funcdefrettype, nc, and_ident(2), tok(DEL_MINUS_MORE), rule(test))
+DEF_RULE_NC(funcdefrettype, and_ident(2), tok(DEL_MINUS_MORE), rule(test))
 // note: typedargslist lets through more than is allowed, compiler does further checks
-DEF_RULE(typedargslist, nc, list_with_end, rule(typedargslist_item), tok(DEL_COMMA))
-DEF_RULE(typedargslist_item, nc, or(3), rule(typedargslist_name), rule(typedargslist_star), rule(typedargslist_dbl_star))
-DEF_RULE(typedargslist_name, nc, and_ident(3), tok(NAME), opt_rule(typedargslist_colon), opt_rule(typedargslist_equal))
-DEF_RULE(typedargslist_star, nc, and(2), tok(OP_STAR), opt_rule(tfpdef))
-DEF_RULE(typedargslist_dbl_star, nc, and(3), tok(OP_DBL_STAR), tok(NAME), opt_rule(typedargslist_colon))
-DEF_RULE(typedargslist_colon, nc, and_ident(2), tok(DEL_COLON), rule(test))
-DEF_RULE(typedargslist_equal, nc, and_ident(2), tok(DEL_EQUAL), rule(test))
-DEF_RULE(tfpdef, nc, and(2), tok(NAME), opt_rule(typedargslist_colon))
+DEF_RULE_NC(typedargslist, list_with_end, rule(typedargslist_item), tok(DEL_COMMA))
+DEF_RULE_NC(typedargslist_item, or(3), rule(typedargslist_name), rule(typedargslist_star), rule(typedargslist_dbl_star))
+DEF_RULE_NC(typedargslist_name, and_ident(3), tok(NAME), opt_rule(typedargslist_colon), opt_rule(typedargslist_equal))
+DEF_RULE_NC(typedargslist_star, and(2), tok(OP_STAR), opt_rule(tfpdef))
+DEF_RULE_NC(typedargslist_dbl_star, and(3), tok(OP_DBL_STAR), tok(NAME), opt_rule(typedargslist_colon))
+DEF_RULE_NC(typedargslist_colon, and_ident(2), tok(DEL_COLON), rule(test))
+DEF_RULE_NC(typedargslist_equal, and_ident(2), tok(DEL_EQUAL), rule(test))
+DEF_RULE_NC(tfpdef, and(2), tok(NAME), opt_rule(typedargslist_colon))
 // note: varargslist lets through more than is allowed, compiler does further checks
-DEF_RULE(varargslist, nc, list_with_end, rule(varargslist_item), tok(DEL_COMMA))
-DEF_RULE(varargslist_item, nc, or(3), rule(varargslist_name), rule(varargslist_star), rule(varargslist_dbl_star))
-DEF_RULE(varargslist_name, nc, and_ident(2), tok(NAME), opt_rule(varargslist_equal))
-DEF_RULE(varargslist_star, nc, and(2), tok(OP_STAR), opt_rule(vfpdef))
-DEF_RULE(varargslist_dbl_star, nc, and(2), tok(OP_DBL_STAR), tok(NAME))
-DEF_RULE(varargslist_equal, nc, and_ident(2), tok(DEL_EQUAL), rule(test))
-DEF_RULE(vfpdef, nc, and_ident(1), tok(NAME))
+DEF_RULE_NC(varargslist, list_with_end, rule(varargslist_item), tok(DEL_COMMA))
+DEF_RULE_NC(varargslist_item, or(3), rule(varargslist_name), rule(varargslist_star), rule(varargslist_dbl_star))
+DEF_RULE_NC(varargslist_name, and_ident(2), tok(NAME), opt_rule(varargslist_equal))
+DEF_RULE_NC(varargslist_star, and(2), tok(OP_STAR), opt_rule(vfpdef))
+DEF_RULE_NC(varargslist_dbl_star, and(2), tok(OP_DBL_STAR), tok(NAME))
+DEF_RULE_NC(varargslist_equal, and_ident(2), tok(DEL_EQUAL), rule(test))
+DEF_RULE_NC(vfpdef, and_ident(1), tok(NAME))
 
 // stmt: compound_stmt | simple_stmt
 
-DEF_RULE(stmt, nc, or(2), rule(compound_stmt), rule(simple_stmt))
+DEF_RULE_NC(stmt, or(2), rule(compound_stmt), rule(simple_stmt))
 
 // simple_stmt: small_stmt (';' small_stmt)* [';'] NEWLINE
 
-DEF_RULE(simple_stmt, nc, and_ident(2), rule(simple_stmt_2), tok(NEWLINE))
+DEF_RULE_NC(simple_stmt, and_ident(2), rule(simple_stmt_2), tok(NEWLINE))
 DEF_RULE(simple_stmt_2, c(generic_all_nodes), list_with_end, rule(small_stmt), tok(DEL_SEMICOLON))
 
 // small_stmt: expr_stmt | del_stmt | pass_stmt | flow_stmt | import_stmt | global_stmt | nonlocal_stmt | assert_stmt
@@ -99,16 +99,16 @@ DEF_RULE(simple_stmt_2, c(generic_all_nodes), list_with_end, rule(small_stmt), t
 // augassign: '+=' | '-=' | '*=' | '/=' | '%=' | '&=' | '|=' | '^=' | '<<=' | '>>=' | '**=' | '//='
 // # For normal assignments, additional restrictions enforced by the interpreter
 
-DEF_RULE(small_stmt, nc, or(8), rule(del_stmt), rule(pass_stmt), rule(flow_stmt), rule(import_stmt), rule(global_stmt), rule(nonlocal_stmt), rule(assert_stmt), rule(expr_stmt))
+DEF_RULE_NC(small_stmt, or(8), rule(del_stmt), rule(pass_stmt), rule(flow_stmt), rule(import_stmt), rule(global_stmt), rule(nonlocal_stmt), rule(assert_stmt), rule(expr_stmt))
 DEF_RULE(expr_stmt, c(expr_stmt), and(2), rule(testlist_star_expr), opt_rule(expr_stmt_2))
-DEF_RULE(expr_stmt_2, nc, or(2), rule(expr_stmt_augassign), rule(expr_stmt_assign_list))
-DEF_RULE(expr_stmt_augassign, nc, and_ident(2), rule(augassign), rule(expr_stmt_6))
-DEF_RULE(expr_stmt_assign_list, nc, one_or_more, rule(expr_stmt_assign))
-DEF_RULE(expr_stmt_assign, nc, and_ident(2), tok(DEL_EQUAL), rule(expr_stmt_6))
-DEF_RULE(expr_stmt_6, nc, or(2), rule(yield_expr), rule(testlist_star_expr))
+DEF_RULE_NC(expr_stmt_2, or(2), rule(expr_stmt_augassign), rule(expr_stmt_assign_list))
+DEF_RULE_NC(expr_stmt_augassign, and_ident(2), rule(augassign), rule(expr_stmt_6))
+DEF_RULE_NC(expr_stmt_assign_list, one_or_more, rule(expr_stmt_assign))
+DEF_RULE_NC(expr_stmt_assign, and_ident(2), tok(DEL_EQUAL), rule(expr_stmt_6))
+DEF_RULE_NC(expr_stmt_6, or(2), rule(yield_expr), rule(testlist_star_expr))
 DEF_RULE(testlist_star_expr, c(generic_tuple), list_with_end, rule(testlist_star_expr_2), tok(DEL_COMMA))
-DEF_RULE(testlist_star_expr_2, nc, or(2), rule(star_expr), rule(test))
-DEF_RULE(augassign, nc, or(12), tok(DEL_PLUS_EQUAL), tok(DEL_MINUS_EQUAL), tok(DEL_STAR_EQUAL), tok(DEL_SLASH_EQUAL), tok(DEL_PERCENT_EQUAL), tok(DEL_AMPERSAND_EQUAL), tok(DEL_PIPE_EQUAL), tok(DEL_CARET_EQUAL), tok(DEL_DBL_LESS_EQUAL), tok(DEL_DBL_MORE_EQUAL), tok(DEL_DBL_STAR_EQUAL), tok(DEL_DBL_SLASH_EQUAL))
+DEF_RULE_NC(testlist_star_expr_2, or(2), rule(star_expr), rule(test))
+DEF_RULE_NC(augassign, or(12), tok(DEL_PLUS_EQUAL), tok(DEL_MINUS_EQUAL), tok(DEL_STAR_EQUAL), tok(DEL_SLASH_EQUAL), tok(DEL_PERCENT_EQUAL), tok(DEL_AMPERSAND_EQUAL), tok(DEL_PIPE_EQUAL), tok(DEL_CARET_EQUAL), tok(DEL_DBL_LESS_EQUAL), tok(DEL_DBL_MORE_EQUAL), tok(DEL_DBL_STAR_EQUAL), tok(DEL_DBL_SLASH_EQUAL))
 
 // del_stmt: 'del' exprlist
 // pass_stmt: 'pass'
@@ -121,14 +121,14 @@ DEF_RULE(augassign, nc, or(12), tok(DEL_PLUS_EQUAL), tok(DEL_MINUS_EQUAL), tok(D
 
 DEF_RULE(del_stmt, c(del_stmt), and(2), tok(KW_DEL), rule(exprlist))
 DEF_RULE(pass_stmt, c(generic_all_nodes), and(1), tok(KW_PASS))
-DEF_RULE(flow_stmt, nc, or(5), rule(break_stmt), rule(continue_stmt), rule(return_stmt), rule(raise_stmt), rule(yield_stmt))
+DEF_RULE_NC(flow_stmt, or(5), rule(break_stmt), rule(continue_stmt), rule(return_stmt), rule(raise_stmt), rule(yield_stmt))
 DEF_RULE(break_stmt, c(break_stmt), and(1), tok(KW_BREAK))
 DEF_RULE(continue_stmt, c(continue_stmt), and(1), tok(KW_CONTINUE))
 DEF_RULE(return_stmt, c(return_stmt), and(2), tok(KW_RETURN), opt_rule(testlist))
 DEF_RULE(yield_stmt, c(yield_stmt), and(1), rule(yield_expr))
 DEF_RULE(raise_stmt, c(raise_stmt), and(2), tok(KW_RAISE), opt_rule(raise_stmt_arg))
-DEF_RULE(raise_stmt_arg, nc, and_ident(2), rule(test), opt_rule(raise_stmt_from))
-DEF_RULE(raise_stmt_from, nc, and_ident(2), tok(KW_FROM), rule(test))
+DEF_RULE_NC(raise_stmt_arg, and_ident(2), rule(test), opt_rule(raise_stmt_from))
+DEF_RULE_NC(raise_stmt_from, and_ident(2), tok(KW_FROM), rule(test))
 
 // import_stmt: import_name | import_from
 // import_name: 'import' dotted_as_names
@@ -142,26 +142,26 @@ DEF_RULE(raise_stmt_from, nc, and_ident(2), tok(KW_FROM), rule(test))
 // nonlocal_stmt: 'nonlocal' NAME (',' NAME)*
 // assert_stmt: 'assert' test [',' test]
 
-DEF_RULE(import_stmt, nc, or(2), rule(import_name), rule(import_from))
+DEF_RULE_NC(import_stmt, or(2), rule(import_name), rule(import_from))
 DEF_RULE(import_name, c(import_name), and(2), tok(KW_IMPORT), rule(dotted_as_names))
 DEF_RULE(import_from, c(import_from), and(4), tok(KW_FROM), rule(import_from_2), tok(KW_IMPORT), rule(import_from_3))
-DEF_RULE(import_from_2, nc, or(2), rule(dotted_name), rule(import_from_2b))
-DEF_RULE(import_from_2b, nc, and_ident(2), rule(one_or_more_period_or_ellipsis), opt_rule(dotted_name))
-DEF_RULE(import_from_3, nc, or(3), tok(OP_STAR), rule(import_as_names_paren), rule(import_as_names))
-DEF_RULE(import_as_names_paren, nc, and_ident(3), tok(DEL_PAREN_OPEN), rule(import_as_names), tok(DEL_PAREN_CLOSE))
-DEF_RULE(one_or_more_period_or_ellipsis, nc, one_or_more, rule(period_or_ellipsis))
-DEF_RULE(period_or_ellipsis, nc, or(2), tok(DEL_PERIOD), tok(ELLIPSIS))
-DEF_RULE(import_as_name, nc, and(2), tok(NAME), opt_rule(as_name))
-DEF_RULE(dotted_as_name, nc, and_ident(2), rule(dotted_name), opt_rule(as_name))
-DEF_RULE(as_name, nc, and_ident(2), tok(KW_AS), tok(NAME))
-DEF_RULE(import_as_names, nc, list_with_end, rule(import_as_name), tok(DEL_COMMA))
-DEF_RULE(dotted_as_names, nc, list, rule(dotted_as_name), tok(DEL_COMMA))
-DEF_RULE(dotted_name, nc, list, tok(NAME), tok(DEL_PERIOD))
+DEF_RULE_NC(import_from_2, or(2), rule(dotted_name), rule(import_from_2b))
+DEF_RULE_NC(import_from_2b, and_ident(2), rule(one_or_more_period_or_ellipsis), opt_rule(dotted_name))
+DEF_RULE_NC(import_from_3, or(3), tok(OP_STAR), rule(import_as_names_paren), rule(import_as_names))
+DEF_RULE_NC(import_as_names_paren, and_ident(3), tok(DEL_PAREN_OPEN), rule(import_as_names), tok(DEL_PAREN_CLOSE))
+DEF_RULE_NC(one_or_more_period_or_ellipsis, one_or_more, rule(period_or_ellipsis))
+DEF_RULE_NC(period_or_ellipsis, or(2), tok(DEL_PERIOD), tok(ELLIPSIS))
+DEF_RULE_NC(import_as_name, and(2), tok(NAME), opt_rule(as_name))
+DEF_RULE_NC(dotted_as_name, and_ident(2), rule(dotted_name), opt_rule(as_name))
+DEF_RULE_NC(as_name, and_ident(2), tok(KW_AS), tok(NAME))
+DEF_RULE_NC(import_as_names, list_with_end, rule(import_as_name), tok(DEL_COMMA))
+DEF_RULE_NC(dotted_as_names, list, rule(dotted_as_name), tok(DEL_COMMA))
+DEF_RULE_NC(dotted_name, list, tok(NAME), tok(DEL_PERIOD))
 DEF_RULE(global_stmt, c(global_stmt), and(2), tok(KW_GLOBAL), rule(name_list))
 DEF_RULE(nonlocal_stmt, c(nonlocal_stmt), and(2), tok(KW_NONLOCAL), rule(name_list))
-DEF_RULE(name_list, nc, list, tok(NAME), tok(DEL_COMMA))
+DEF_RULE_NC(name_list, list, tok(NAME), tok(DEL_COMMA))
 DEF_RULE(assert_stmt, c(assert_stmt), and(3), tok(KW_ASSERT), rule(test), opt_rule(assert_stmt_extra))
-DEF_RULE(assert_stmt_extra, nc, and_ident(2), tok(DEL_COMMA), rule(test))
+DEF_RULE_NC(assert_stmt_extra, and_ident(2), tok(DEL_COMMA), rule(test))
 
 // compound_stmt: if_stmt | while_stmt | for_stmt | try_stmt | with_stmt | funcdef | classdef | decorated | async_stmt
 // if_stmt: 'if' test ':' suite ('elif' test ':' suite)* ['else' ':' suite]
@@ -176,31 +176,31 @@ DEF_RULE(assert_stmt_extra, nc, and_ident(2), tok(DEL_COMMA), rule(test))
 // async_stmt: 'async' (funcdef | with_stmt | for_stmt)
 
 #if MICROPY_PY_ASYNC_AWAIT
-DEF_RULE(compound_stmt, nc, or(9), rule(if_stmt), rule(while_stmt), rule(for_stmt), rule(try_stmt), rule(with_stmt), rule(funcdef), rule(classdef), rule(decorated), rule(async_stmt))
+DEF_RULE_NC(compound_stmt, or(9), rule(if_stmt), rule(while_stmt), rule(for_stmt), rule(try_stmt), rule(with_stmt), rule(funcdef), rule(classdef), rule(decorated), rule(async_stmt))
 DEF_RULE(async_stmt, c(async_stmt), and(2), tok(KW_ASYNC), rule(async_stmt_2))
-DEF_RULE(async_stmt_2, nc, or(3), rule(funcdef), rule(with_stmt), rule(for_stmt))
+DEF_RULE_NC(async_stmt_2, or(3), rule(funcdef), rule(with_stmt), rule(for_stmt))
 #else
-DEF_RULE(compound_stmt, nc, or(8), rule(if_stmt), rule(while_stmt), rule(for_stmt), rule(try_stmt), rule(with_stmt), rule(funcdef), rule(classdef), rule(decorated))
+DEF_RULE_NC(compound_stmt, or(8), rule(if_stmt), rule(while_stmt), rule(for_stmt), rule(try_stmt), rule(with_stmt), rule(funcdef), rule(classdef), rule(decorated))
 #endif
 DEF_RULE(if_stmt, c(if_stmt), and(6), tok(KW_IF), rule(test), tok(DEL_COLON), rule(suite), opt_rule(if_stmt_elif_list), opt_rule(else_stmt))
-DEF_RULE(if_stmt_elif_list, nc, one_or_more, rule(if_stmt_elif))
-DEF_RULE(if_stmt_elif, nc, and(4), tok(KW_ELIF), rule(test), tok(DEL_COLON), rule(suite))
+DEF_RULE_NC(if_stmt_elif_list, one_or_more, rule(if_stmt_elif))
+DEF_RULE_NC(if_stmt_elif, and(4), tok(KW_ELIF), rule(test), tok(DEL_COLON), rule(suite))
 DEF_RULE(while_stmt, c(while_stmt), and(5), tok(KW_WHILE), rule(test), tok(DEL_COLON), rule(suite), opt_rule(else_stmt))
 DEF_RULE(for_stmt, c(for_stmt), and(7), tok(KW_FOR), rule(exprlist), tok(KW_IN), rule(testlist), tok(DEL_COLON), rule(suite), opt_rule(else_stmt))
 DEF_RULE(try_stmt, c(try_stmt), and(4), tok(KW_TRY), tok(DEL_COLON), rule(suite), rule(try_stmt_2))
-DEF_RULE(try_stmt_2, nc, or(2), rule(try_stmt_except_and_more), rule(try_stmt_finally))
-DEF_RULE(try_stmt_except_and_more, nc, and_ident(3), rule(try_stmt_except_list), opt_rule(else_stmt), opt_rule(try_stmt_finally))
-DEF_RULE(try_stmt_except, nc, and(4), tok(KW_EXCEPT), opt_rule(try_stmt_as_name), tok(DEL_COLON), rule(suite))
-DEF_RULE(try_stmt_as_name, nc, and_ident(2), rule(test), opt_rule(as_name))
-DEF_RULE(try_stmt_except_list, nc, one_or_more, rule(try_stmt_except))
-DEF_RULE(try_stmt_finally, nc, and(3), tok(KW_FINALLY), tok(DEL_COLON), rule(suite))
-DEF_RULE(else_stmt, nc, and_ident(3), tok(KW_ELSE), tok(DEL_COLON), rule(suite))
+DEF_RULE_NC(try_stmt_2, or(2), rule(try_stmt_except_and_more), rule(try_stmt_finally))
+DEF_RULE_NC(try_stmt_except_and_more, and_ident(3), rule(try_stmt_except_list), opt_rule(else_stmt), opt_rule(try_stmt_finally))
+DEF_RULE_NC(try_stmt_except, and(4), tok(KW_EXCEPT), opt_rule(try_stmt_as_name), tok(DEL_COLON), rule(suite))
+DEF_RULE_NC(try_stmt_as_name, and_ident(2), rule(test), opt_rule(as_name))
+DEF_RULE_NC(try_stmt_except_list, one_or_more, rule(try_stmt_except))
+DEF_RULE_NC(try_stmt_finally, and(3), tok(KW_FINALLY), tok(DEL_COLON), rule(suite))
+DEF_RULE_NC(else_stmt, and_ident(3), tok(KW_ELSE), tok(DEL_COLON), rule(suite))
 DEF_RULE(with_stmt, c(with_stmt), and(4), tok(KW_WITH), rule(with_stmt_list), tok(DEL_COLON), rule(suite))
-DEF_RULE(with_stmt_list, nc, list, rule(with_item), tok(DEL_COMMA))
-DEF_RULE(with_item, nc, and_ident(2), rule(test), opt_rule(with_item_as))
-DEF_RULE(with_item_as, nc, and_ident(2), tok(KW_AS), rule(expr))
-DEF_RULE(suite, nc, or(2), rule(suite_block), rule(simple_stmt))
-DEF_RULE(suite_block, nc, and_ident(4), tok(NEWLINE), tok(INDENT), rule(suite_block_stmts), tok(DEDENT))
+DEF_RULE_NC(with_stmt_list, list, rule(with_item), tok(DEL_COMMA))
+DEF_RULE_NC(with_item, and_ident(2), rule(test), opt_rule(with_item_as))
+DEF_RULE_NC(with_item_as, and_ident(2), tok(KW_AS), rule(expr))
+DEF_RULE_NC(suite, or(2), rule(suite_block), rule(simple_stmt))
+DEF_RULE_NC(suite_block, and_ident(4), tok(NEWLINE), tok(INDENT), rule(suite_block_stmts), tok(DEDENT))
 DEF_RULE(suite_block_stmts, c(generic_all_nodes), one_or_more, rule(stmt))
 
 // test: or_test ['if' or_test 'else' test] | lambdef
@@ -208,10 +208,10 @@ DEF_RULE(suite_block_stmts, c(generic_all_nodes), one_or_more, rule(stmt))
 // lambdef: 'lambda' [varargslist] ':' test
 // lambdef_nocond: 'lambda' [varargslist] ':' test_nocond
 
-DEF_RULE(test, nc, or(2), rule(lambdef), rule(test_if_expr))
+DEF_RULE_NC(test, or(2), rule(lambdef), rule(test_if_expr))
 DEF_RULE(test_if_expr, c(test_if_expr), and_ident(2), rule(or_test), opt_rule(test_if_else))
-DEF_RULE(test_if_else, nc, and(4), tok(KW_IF), rule(or_test), tok(KW_ELSE), rule(test))
-DEF_RULE(test_nocond, nc, or(2), rule(lambdef_nocond), rule(or_test))
+DEF_RULE_NC(test_if_else, and(4), tok(KW_IF), rule(or_test), tok(KW_ELSE), rule(test))
+DEF_RULE_NC(test_nocond, or(2), rule(lambdef_nocond), rule(or_test))
 DEF_RULE(lambdef, c(lambdef), and_blank(4), tok(KW_LAMBDA), opt_rule(varargslist), tok(DEL_COLON), rule(test))
 DEF_RULE(lambdef_nocond, c(lambdef), and_blank(4), tok(KW_LAMBDA), opt_rule(varargslist), tok(DEL_COLON), rule(test_nocond))
 
@@ -233,54 +233,54 @@ DEF_RULE(lambdef_nocond, c(lambdef), and_blank(4), tok(KW_LAMBDA), opt_rule(vara
 
 DEF_RULE(or_test, c(or_test), list, rule(and_test), tok(KW_OR))
 DEF_RULE(and_test, c(and_test), list, rule(not_test), tok(KW_AND))
-DEF_RULE(not_test, nc, or(2), rule(not_test_2), rule(comparison))
+DEF_RULE_NC(not_test, or(2), rule(not_test_2), rule(comparison))
 DEF_RULE(not_test_2, c(not_test_2), and(2), tok(KW_NOT), rule(not_test))
 DEF_RULE(comparison, c(comparison), list, rule(expr), rule(comp_op))
-DEF_RULE(comp_op, nc, or(9), tok(OP_LESS), tok(OP_MORE), tok(OP_DBL_EQUAL), tok(OP_LESS_EQUAL), tok(OP_MORE_EQUAL), tok(OP_NOT_EQUAL), tok(KW_IN), rule(comp_op_not_in), rule(comp_op_is))
-DEF_RULE(comp_op_not_in, nc, and(2), tok(KW_NOT), tok(KW_IN))
-DEF_RULE(comp_op_is, nc, and(2), tok(KW_IS), opt_rule(comp_op_is_not))
-DEF_RULE(comp_op_is_not, nc, and(1), tok(KW_NOT))
+DEF_RULE_NC(comp_op, or(9), tok(OP_LESS), tok(OP_MORE), tok(OP_DBL_EQUAL), tok(OP_LESS_EQUAL), tok(OP_MORE_EQUAL), tok(OP_NOT_EQUAL), tok(KW_IN), rule(comp_op_not_in), rule(comp_op_is))
+DEF_RULE_NC(comp_op_not_in, and(2), tok(KW_NOT), tok(KW_IN))
+DEF_RULE_NC(comp_op_is, and(2), tok(KW_IS), opt_rule(comp_op_is_not))
+DEF_RULE_NC(comp_op_is_not, and(1), tok(KW_NOT))
 DEF_RULE(star_expr, c(star_expr), and(2), tok(OP_STAR), rule(expr))
 DEF_RULE(expr, c(expr), list, rule(xor_expr), tok(OP_PIPE))
 DEF_RULE(xor_expr, c(xor_expr), list, rule(and_expr), tok(OP_CARET))
 DEF_RULE(and_expr, c(and_expr), list, rule(shift_expr), tok(OP_AMPERSAND))
 DEF_RULE(shift_expr, c(shift_expr), list, rule(arith_expr), rule(shift_op))
-DEF_RULE(shift_op, nc, or(2), tok(OP_DBL_LESS), tok(OP_DBL_MORE))
+DEF_RULE_NC(shift_op, or(2), tok(OP_DBL_LESS), tok(OP_DBL_MORE))
 DEF_RULE(arith_expr, c(arith_expr), list, rule(term), rule(arith_op))
-DEF_RULE(arith_op, nc, or(2), tok(OP_PLUS), tok(OP_MINUS))
+DEF_RULE_NC(arith_op, or(2), tok(OP_PLUS), tok(OP_MINUS))
 DEF_RULE(term, c(term), list, rule(factor), rule(term_op))
-DEF_RULE(term_op, nc, or(4), tok(OP_STAR), tok(OP_SLASH), tok(OP_PERCENT), tok(OP_DBL_SLASH))
-DEF_RULE(factor, nc, or(2), rule(factor_2), rule(power))
+DEF_RULE_NC(term_op, or(4), tok(OP_STAR), tok(OP_SLASH), tok(OP_PERCENT), tok(OP_DBL_SLASH))
+DEF_RULE_NC(factor, or(2), rule(factor_2), rule(power))
 DEF_RULE(factor_2, c(factor_2), and_ident(2), rule(factor_op), rule(factor))
-DEF_RULE(factor_op, nc, or(3), tok(OP_PLUS), tok(OP_MINUS), tok(OP_TILDE))
+DEF_RULE_NC(factor_op, or(3), tok(OP_PLUS), tok(OP_MINUS), tok(OP_TILDE))
 DEF_RULE(power, c(power), and_ident(2), rule(atom_expr), opt_rule(power_dbl_star))
 #if MICROPY_PY_ASYNC_AWAIT
-DEF_RULE(atom_expr, nc, or(2), rule(atom_expr_await), rule(atom_expr_normal))
+DEF_RULE_NC(atom_expr, or(2), rule(atom_expr_await), rule(atom_expr_normal))
 DEF_RULE(atom_expr_await, c(atom_expr_await), and(3), tok(KW_AWAIT), rule(atom), opt_rule(atom_expr_trailers))
 #else
-DEF_RULE(atom_expr, nc, or(1), rule(atom_expr_normal))
+DEF_RULE_NC(atom_expr, or(1), rule(atom_expr_normal))
 #endif
 DEF_RULE(atom_expr_normal, c(atom_expr_normal), and_ident(2), rule(atom), opt_rule(atom_expr_trailers))
 DEF_RULE(atom_expr_trailers, c(atom_expr_trailers), one_or_more, rule(trailer))
-DEF_RULE(power_dbl_star, nc, and_ident(2), tok(OP_DBL_STAR), rule(factor))
+DEF_RULE_NC(power_dbl_star, and_ident(2), tok(OP_DBL_STAR), rule(factor))
 
 // atom: '(' [yield_expr|testlist_comp] ')' | '[' [testlist_comp] ']' | '{' [dictorsetmaker] '}' | NAME | NUMBER | STRING+ | '...' | 'None' | 'True' | 'False'
 // testlist_comp: (test|star_expr) ( comp_for | (',' (test|star_expr))* [','] )
 // trailer: '(' [arglist] ')' | '[' subscriptlist ']' | '.' NAME
 
-DEF_RULE(atom, nc, or(11), tok(NAME), tok(INTEGER), tok(FLOAT_OR_IMAG), rule(atom_string), tok(ELLIPSIS), tok(KW_NONE), tok(KW_TRUE), tok(KW_FALSE), rule(atom_paren), rule(atom_bracket), rule(atom_brace))
+DEF_RULE_NC(atom, or(11), tok(NAME), tok(INTEGER), tok(FLOAT_OR_IMAG), rule(atom_string), tok(ELLIPSIS), tok(KW_NONE), tok(KW_TRUE), tok(KW_FALSE), rule(atom_paren), rule(atom_bracket), rule(atom_brace))
 DEF_RULE(atom_string, c(atom_string), one_or_more, rule(string_or_bytes))
-DEF_RULE(string_or_bytes, nc, or(2), tok(STRING), tok(BYTES))
+DEF_RULE_NC(string_or_bytes, or(2), tok(STRING), tok(BYTES))
 DEF_RULE(atom_paren, c(atom_paren), and(3), tok(DEL_PAREN_OPEN), opt_rule(atom_2b), tok(DEL_PAREN_CLOSE))
-DEF_RULE(atom_2b, nc, or(2), rule(yield_expr), rule(testlist_comp))
+DEF_RULE_NC(atom_2b, or(2), rule(yield_expr), rule(testlist_comp))
 DEF_RULE(atom_bracket, c(atom_bracket), and(3), tok(DEL_BRACKET_OPEN), opt_rule(testlist_comp), tok(DEL_BRACKET_CLOSE))
 DEF_RULE(atom_brace, c(atom_brace), and(3), tok(DEL_BRACE_OPEN), opt_rule(dictorsetmaker), tok(DEL_BRACE_CLOSE))
-DEF_RULE(testlist_comp, nc, and_ident(2), rule(testlist_comp_2), opt_rule(testlist_comp_3))
-DEF_RULE(testlist_comp_2, nc, or(2), rule(star_expr), rule(test))
-DEF_RULE(testlist_comp_3, nc, or(2), rule(comp_for), rule(testlist_comp_3b))
-DEF_RULE(testlist_comp_3b, nc, and_ident(2), tok(DEL_COMMA), opt_rule(testlist_comp_3c))
-DEF_RULE(testlist_comp_3c, nc, list_with_end, rule(testlist_comp_2), tok(DEL_COMMA))
-DEF_RULE(trailer, nc, or(3), rule(trailer_paren), rule(trailer_bracket), rule(trailer_period))
+DEF_RULE_NC(testlist_comp, and_ident(2), rule(testlist_comp_2), opt_rule(testlist_comp_3))
+DEF_RULE_NC(testlist_comp_2, or(2), rule(star_expr), rule(test))
+DEF_RULE_NC(testlist_comp_3, or(2), rule(comp_for), rule(testlist_comp_3b))
+DEF_RULE_NC(testlist_comp_3b, and_ident(2), tok(DEL_COMMA), opt_rule(testlist_comp_3c))
+DEF_RULE_NC(testlist_comp_3c, list_with_end, rule(testlist_comp_2), tok(DEL_COMMA))
+DEF_RULE_NC(trailer, or(3), rule(trailer_paren), rule(trailer_bracket), rule(trailer_period))
 DEF_RULE(trailer_paren, c(trailer_paren), and(3), tok(DEL_PAREN_OPEN), opt_rule(arglist), tok(DEL_PAREN_CLOSE))
 DEF_RULE(trailer_bracket, c(trailer_bracket), and(3), tok(DEL_BRACKET_OPEN), rule(subscriptlist), tok(DEL_BRACKET_CLOSE))
 DEF_RULE(trailer_period, c(trailer_period), and(2), tok(DEL_PERIOD), tok(NAME))
@@ -291,13 +291,13 @@ DEF_RULE(trailer_period, c(trailer_period), and(2), tok(DEL_PERIOD), tok(NAME))
 
 #if MICROPY_PY_BUILTINS_SLICE
 DEF_RULE(subscriptlist, c(generic_tuple), list_with_end, rule(subscript), tok(DEL_COMMA))
-DEF_RULE(subscript, nc, or(2), rule(subscript_3), rule(subscript_2))
+DEF_RULE_NC(subscript, or(2), rule(subscript_3), rule(subscript_2))
 DEF_RULE(subscript_2, c(subscript_2), and_ident(2), rule(test), opt_rule(subscript_3))
 DEF_RULE(subscript_3, c(subscript_3), and(2), tok(DEL_COLON), opt_rule(subscript_3b))
-DEF_RULE(subscript_3b, nc, or(2), rule(subscript_3c), rule(subscript_3d))
-DEF_RULE(subscript_3c, nc, and(2), tok(DEL_COLON), opt_rule(test))
-DEF_RULE(subscript_3d, nc, and_ident(2), rule(test), opt_rule(sliceop))
-DEF_RULE(sliceop, nc, and(2), tok(DEL_COLON), opt_rule(test))
+DEF_RULE_NC(subscript_3b, or(2), rule(subscript_3c), rule(subscript_3d))
+DEF_RULE_NC(subscript_3c, and(2), tok(DEL_COLON), opt_rule(test))
+DEF_RULE_NC(subscript_3d, and_ident(2), rule(test), opt_rule(sliceop))
+DEF_RULE_NC(sliceop, and(2), tok(DEL_COLON), opt_rule(test))
 #else
 DEF_RULE(subscriptlist, c(generic_tuple), list_with_end, rule(test), tok(DEL_COMMA))
 #endif
@@ -306,33 +306,33 @@ DEF_RULE(subscriptlist, c(generic_tuple), list_with_end, rule(test), tok(DEL_COM
 // testlist: test (',' test)* [',']
 // dictorsetmaker: (test ':' test (comp_for | (',' test ':' test)* [','])) | (test (comp_for | (',' test)* [',']))
 
-DEF_RULE(exprlist, nc, list_with_end, rule(exprlist_2), tok(DEL_COMMA))
-DEF_RULE(exprlist_2, nc, or(2), rule(star_expr), rule(expr))
+DEF_RULE_NC(exprlist, list_with_end, rule(exprlist_2), tok(DEL_COMMA))
+DEF_RULE_NC(exprlist_2, or(2), rule(star_expr), rule(expr))
 DEF_RULE(testlist, c(generic_tuple), list_with_end, rule(test), tok(DEL_COMMA))
 // TODO dictorsetmaker lets through more than is allowed
-DEF_RULE(dictorsetmaker, nc, and_ident(2), rule(dictorsetmaker_item), opt_rule(dictorsetmaker_tail))
+DEF_RULE_NC(dictorsetmaker, and_ident(2), rule(dictorsetmaker_item), opt_rule(dictorsetmaker_tail))
 #if MICROPY_PY_BUILTINS_SET
 DEF_RULE(dictorsetmaker_item, c(dictorsetmaker_item), and_ident(2), rule(test), opt_rule(dictorsetmaker_colon))
-DEF_RULE(dictorsetmaker_colon, nc, and_ident(2), tok(DEL_COLON), rule(test))
+DEF_RULE_NC(dictorsetmaker_colon, and_ident(2), tok(DEL_COLON), rule(test))
 #else
 DEF_RULE(dictorsetmaker_item, c(dictorsetmaker_item), and(3), rule(test), tok(DEL_COLON), rule(test))
 #endif
-DEF_RULE(dictorsetmaker_tail, nc, or(2), rule(comp_for), rule(dictorsetmaker_list))
-DEF_RULE(dictorsetmaker_list, nc, and(2), tok(DEL_COMMA), opt_rule(dictorsetmaker_list2))
-DEF_RULE(dictorsetmaker_list2, nc, list_with_end, rule(dictorsetmaker_item), tok(DEL_COMMA))
+DEF_RULE_NC(dictorsetmaker_tail, or(2), rule(comp_for), rule(dictorsetmaker_list))
+DEF_RULE_NC(dictorsetmaker_list, and(2), tok(DEL_COMMA), opt_rule(dictorsetmaker_list2))
+DEF_RULE_NC(dictorsetmaker_list2, list_with_end, rule(dictorsetmaker_item), tok(DEL_COMMA))
 
 // classdef: 'class' NAME ['(' [arglist] ')'] ':' suite
 
 DEF_RULE(classdef, c(classdef), and_blank(5), tok(KW_CLASS), tok(NAME), opt_rule(classdef_2), tok(DEL_COLON), rule(suite))
-DEF_RULE(classdef_2, nc, and_ident(3), tok(DEL_PAREN_OPEN), opt_rule(arglist), tok(DEL_PAREN_CLOSE))
+DEF_RULE_NC(classdef_2, and_ident(3), tok(DEL_PAREN_OPEN), opt_rule(arglist), tok(DEL_PAREN_CLOSE))
 
 // arglist: (argument ',')* (argument [','] | '*' test (',' argument)* [',' '**' test] | '**' test)
 
 // TODO arglist lets through more than is allowed, compiler needs to do further verification
-DEF_RULE(arglist, nc, list_with_end, rule(arglist_2), tok(DEL_COMMA))
-DEF_RULE(arglist_2, nc, or(3), rule(arglist_star), rule(arglist_dbl_star), rule(argument))
-DEF_RULE(arglist_star, nc, and(2), tok(OP_STAR), rule(test))
-DEF_RULE(arglist_dbl_star, nc, and(2), tok(OP_DBL_STAR), rule(test))
+DEF_RULE_NC(arglist, list_with_end, rule(arglist_2), tok(DEL_COMMA))
+DEF_RULE_NC(arglist_2, or(3), rule(arglist_star), rule(arglist_dbl_star), rule(argument))
+DEF_RULE_NC(arglist_star, and(2), tok(OP_STAR), rule(test))
+DEF_RULE_NC(arglist_dbl_star, and(2), tok(OP_DBL_STAR), rule(test))
 
 // # The reason that keywords are test nodes instead of NAME is that using NAME
 // # results in an ambiguity. ast.c makes sure it's a NAME.
@@ -341,12 +341,12 @@ DEF_RULE(arglist_dbl_star, nc, and(2), tok(OP_DBL_STAR), rule(test))
 // comp_for: 'for' exprlist 'in' or_test [comp_iter]
 // comp_if: 'if' test_nocond [comp_iter]
 
-DEF_RULE(argument, nc, and_ident(2), rule(test), opt_rule(argument_2))
-DEF_RULE(argument_2, nc, or(2), rule(comp_for), rule(argument_3))
-DEF_RULE(argument_3, nc, and_ident(2), tok(DEL_EQUAL), rule(test))
-DEF_RULE(comp_iter, nc, or(2), rule(comp_for), rule(comp_if))
-DEF_RULE(comp_for, nc, and_blank(5), tok(KW_FOR), rule(exprlist), tok(KW_IN), rule(or_test), opt_rule(comp_iter))
-DEF_RULE(comp_if, nc, and(3), tok(KW_IF), rule(test_nocond), opt_rule(comp_iter))
+DEF_RULE_NC(argument, and_ident(2), rule(test), opt_rule(argument_2))
+DEF_RULE_NC(argument_2, or(2), rule(comp_for), rule(argument_3))
+DEF_RULE_NC(argument_3, and_ident(2), tok(DEL_EQUAL), rule(test))
+DEF_RULE_NC(comp_iter, or(2), rule(comp_for), rule(comp_if))
+DEF_RULE_NC(comp_for, and_blank(5), tok(KW_FOR), rule(exprlist), tok(KW_IN), rule(or_test), opt_rule(comp_iter))
+DEF_RULE_NC(comp_if, and(3), tok(KW_IF), rule(test_nocond), opt_rule(comp_iter))
 
 // # not used in grammar, but may appear in "node" passed from Parser to Compiler
 // encoding_decl: NAME
@@ -355,5 +355,5 @@ DEF_RULE(comp_if, nc, and(3), tok(KW_IF), rule(test_nocond), opt_rule(comp_iter)
 // yield_arg: 'from' test | testlist
 
 DEF_RULE(yield_expr, c(yield_expr), and(2), tok(KW_YIELD), opt_rule(yield_arg))
-DEF_RULE(yield_arg, nc, or(2), rule(yield_arg_from), rule(testlist))
-DEF_RULE(yield_arg_from, nc, and(2), tok(KW_FROM), rule(test))
+DEF_RULE_NC(yield_arg, or(2), rule(yield_arg_from), rule(testlist))
+DEF_RULE_NC(yield_arg_from, and(2), tok(KW_FROM), rule(test))
diff --git a/py/parse.c b/py/parse.c
index b1c2c19ea3..d15af41581 100644
--- a/py/parse.c
+++ b/py/parse.c
@@ -69,13 +69,22 @@ typedef struct _rule_t {
 } rule_t;
 
 enum {
+// define rules with a compile function
 #define DEF_RULE(rule, comp, kind, ...) RULE_##rule,
+#define DEF_RULE_NC(rule, kind, ...)
 #include "py/grammar.h"
 #undef DEF_RULE
-    RULE_maximum_number_of,
+#undef DEF_RULE_NC
     RULE_string, // special node for non-interned string
     RULE_bytes, // special node for non-interned bytes
     RULE_const_object, // special node for a constant, generic Python object
+
+// define rules without a compile function
+#define DEF_RULE(rule, comp, kind, ...)
+#define DEF_RULE_NC(rule, kind, ...) RULE_##rule,
+#include "py/grammar.h"
+#undef DEF_RULE
+#undef DEF_RULE_NC
 };
 
 #define or(n)                   (RULE_ACT_OR | n)
@@ -90,8 +99,10 @@ enum {
 #define opt_rule(r)             (RULE_ARG_OPT_RULE | RULE_##r)
 #ifdef USE_RULE_NAME
 #define DEF_RULE(rule, comp, kind, ...) static const rule_t rule_##rule = { RULE_##rule, kind, #rule, { __VA_ARGS__ } };
+#define DEF_RULE_NC(rule, kind, ...) static const rule_t rule_##rule = { RULE_##rule, kind, #rule, { __VA_ARGS__ } };
 #else
 #define DEF_RULE(rule, comp, kind, ...) static const rule_t rule_##rule = { RULE_##rule, kind, { __VA_ARGS__ } };
+#define DEF_RULE_NC(rule, kind, ...) static const rule_t rule_##rule = { RULE_##rule, kind, { __VA_ARGS__ } };
 #endif
 #include "py/grammar.h"
 #undef or
@@ -103,11 +114,25 @@ enum {
 #undef opt_rule
 #undef one_or_more
 #undef DEF_RULE
+#undef DEF_RULE_NC
 
 STATIC const rule_t *const rules[] = {
+// define rules with a compile function
 #define DEF_RULE(rule, comp, kind, ...) &rule_##rule,
+#define DEF_RULE_NC(rule, kind, ...)
 #include "py/grammar.h"
 #undef DEF_RULE
+#undef DEF_RULE_NC
+    NULL, // RULE_string
+    NULL, // RULE_bytes
+    NULL, // RULE_const_object
+
+// define rules without a compile function
+#define DEF_RULE(rule, comp, kind, ...)
+#define DEF_RULE_NC(rule, kind, ...) &rule_##rule,
+#include "py/grammar.h"
+#undef DEF_RULE
+#undef DEF_RULE_NC
 };
 
 typedef struct _rule_stack_t {
@@ -215,7 +240,6 @@ STATIC void push_rule(parser_t *parser, size_t src_line, const rule_t *rule, siz
 STATIC void push_rule_from_arg(parser_t *parser, size_t arg) {
     assert((arg & RULE_ARG_KIND_MASK) == RULE_ARG_RULE || (arg & RULE_ARG_KIND_MASK) == RULE_ARG_OPT_RULE);
     size_t rule_id = arg & RULE_ARG_ARG_MASK;
-    assert(rule_id < RULE_maximum_number_of);
     push_rule(parser, parser->lexer->tok_line, rules[rule_id], 0);
 }