diff --git a/lib/handlebars/runtime.js b/lib/handlebars/runtime.js
index 30798e88..eb6d7570 100644
--- a/lib/handlebars/runtime.js
+++ b/lib/handlebars/runtime.js
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ Handlebars.VM = {
   },
   noop: function() { return ""; },
   invokePartial: function(partial, name, context, helpers, partials, data) {
-    options = { helpers: helpers, partials: partials, data: data };
+    var options = { helpers: helpers, partials: partials, data: data };
 
     if(partial === undefined) {
       throw new Handlebars.Exception("The partial " + name + " could not be found");