diff --git a/compiler/src/dotty/tools/dotc/cc/CheckCaptures.scala b/compiler/src/dotty/tools/dotc/cc/CheckCaptures.scala
index c52e1aa6714e..fab0689b4df2 100644
--- a/compiler/src/dotty/tools/dotc/cc/CheckCaptures.scala
+++ b/compiler/src/dotty/tools/dotc/cc/CheckCaptures.scala
@@ -826,12 +826,16 @@ class CheckCaptures extends Recheck, SymTransformer:
      */
     def adaptUniversal(actual: Type, expected: Type, tree: Tree)(using Context): Type =
       if expected.captureSet.disallowsUniversal && actual.captureSet.isUniversal then
-        val localRoot = impliedRoot(tree)
-        CapturingType(
-            actual.stripCapturing,
-            localRoot.termRef.singletonCaptureSet,
-            actual.isBoxedCapturing)
-          .showing(i"adapt universal $actual vs $expected = $result", capt)
+        if actual.isInstanceOf[SingletonType] then
+          // capture set is only exposed when widening
+          adaptUniversal(actual.widen, expected, tree)
+        else
+          val localRoot = impliedRoot(tree)
+          CapturingType(
+              actual.stripCapturing,
+              localRoot.termRef.singletonCaptureSet,
+              actual.isBoxedCapturing)
+            .showing(i"adapt universal $actual vs $expected = $result", capt)
       else actual
 
     private inline val debugSuccesses = false
diff --git a/compiler/src/dotty/tools/dotc/printing/RefinedPrinter.scala b/compiler/src/dotty/tools/dotc/printing/RefinedPrinter.scala
index 4f63bfb38691..bc8e2e9bc88e 100644
--- a/compiler/src/dotty/tools/dotc/printing/RefinedPrinter.scala
+++ b/compiler/src/dotty/tools/dotc/printing/RefinedPrinter.scala
@@ -640,7 +640,9 @@ class RefinedPrinter(_ctx: Context) extends PlainPrinter(_ctx) {
           try changePrec(GlobalPrec)(toText(arg) ~ "^" ~ toTextCaptureSet(captureSet))
           catch case ex: IllegalCaptureRef => toTextAnnot
         if annot.symbol.maybeOwner == defn.RetainsAnnot
-            && Feature.ccEnabled && Config.printCaptureSetsAsPrefix && !printDebug
+            && Feature.ccEnabled
+            && Config.printCaptureSetsAsPrefix && !printDebug
+            && Phases.checkCapturesPhase.exists // might be missing on -Ytest-pickler
         then toTextRetainsAnnot
         else toTextAnnot
       case EmptyTree =>
diff --git a/tests/pos/i18699.scala b/tests/pos/i18699.scala
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..61b21b0d3ad4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/pos/i18699.scala
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+import language.experimental.captureChecking
+trait Cap:
+  def use: Int = 42
+
+def test2(cs: List[Cap^]): Unit =
+  val t0: Cap^{cap[test2]} = cs.head  // error
+  var t1: Cap^{cap[test2]} = cs.head  // error
\ No newline at end of file