diff --git a/completions/make b/completions/make
index 5c5b136e..3a3d931c 100644
--- a/completions/make
+++ b/completions/make
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ _make()
 
         # recognise that possible completions are only going to be displayed
         # so only the base name is shown
-        mode=--
+        local mode=--
         if (( COMP_TYPE != 9 )); then
             mode=-d # display-only mode
         fi