diff --git a/allyourbase.jam b/allyourbase.jam
index 1207cae5a..809610233 100644
--- a/allyourbase.jam
+++ b/allyourbase.jam
@@ -1774,7 +1774,7 @@ rule join-path
     else
     {
         _s = $(<[1]) ;
-        _r = $(<[2-]) ;
+        local _r = $(<[2-]) ;
 
         # Jam doesn't handle the root directory properly
         if $(_s) in / $(SLASH)
diff --git a/v1/allyourbase.jam b/v1/allyourbase.jam
index 1207cae5a..809610233 100644
--- a/v1/allyourbase.jam
+++ b/v1/allyourbase.jam
@@ -1774,7 +1774,7 @@ rule join-path
     else
     {
         _s = $(<[1]) ;
-        _r = $(<[2-]) ;
+        local _r = $(<[2-]) ;
 
         # Jam doesn't handle the root directory properly
         if $(_s) in / $(SLASH)