X-ray and electron diffraction patterns reveal significant differences between as-cast and as-quenched Al6CuLi3alloys. The broadening of the reflections and their displacements from the exact icosahedral positions are more pronounced in the as-cast alloy than in the as-quenched alloy which exhibits a ‘better’ icosahedral order. These results imply that the possible existence of the icosahedral phase as an equilibrium state is questionable.