Sql If Block Code Causing Error Even Though It Shouldn't Execute

I have a case in which I have SQL code with an IF-ELSE block. The code in the IF portion should not be reached, but I still get an error when the SQL executes. In the code I first

Solution 1:

It'll still parse and bind everything before it executes it. It's failing to bind here.

You could use sp_executesql to execute that line, and it should only validate when sp_executesql is actually called.