diff --git a/themes/default/theme.lua b/themes/default/theme.lua
index 9577ad94..ed3c0b94 100644
--- a/themes/default/theme.lua
+++ b/themes/default/theme.lua
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 -- Default awesome theme --
 ---------------------------
 
-theme = {}
+local theme = {}
 
 theme.font          = "sans 8"
 
diff --git a/themes/sky/theme.lua b/themes/sky/theme.lua
index e8fbe7e6..0ce78a8d 100644
--- a/themes/sky/theme.lua
+++ b/themes/sky/theme.lua
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 -- If you want SVGs and extras, get them from garoth.com/awesome/sky-theme
 
 -- BASICS
-theme = {}
+local theme = {}
 theme.font          = "sans 8"
 
 theme.bg_focus      = "#e2eeea"
diff --git a/themes/zenburn/theme.lua b/themes/zenburn/theme.lua
index d6a48863..2b7f56f9 100644
--- a/themes/zenburn/theme.lua
+++ b/themes/zenburn/theme.lua
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 --  * http://awesome.naquadah.org/wiki/Nice_Icons
 
 -- {{{ Main
-theme = {}
+local theme = {}
 theme.wallpaper = "@AWESOME_THEMES_PATH@/zenburn/zenburn-background.png"
 -- }}}