diff --git a/lib/awful/util.lua.in b/lib/awful/util.lua.in
index 123c4a64c..76c88e204 100644
--- a/lib/awful/util.lua.in
+++ b/lib/awful/util.lua.in
@@ -184,10 +184,10 @@ end
 -- @param size Optional size. If this is specified, subdirectories <size>x<size>
 --             of the dirs are searched first
 function util.geticonpath(iconname, exts, dirs, size)
-    exts = exts or { 'png', 'gif' }
-    dirs = dirs or { '/usr/share/pixmaps/', '/usr/share/icons/hicolor/' }
-    icontypes = { 'apps', 'actions',  'categories',  'emblems',
-    'mimetypes',  'status', 'devices', 'extras', 'places', 'stock' }
+    local exts = exts or { 'png', 'gif' }
+    local dirs = dirs or { '/usr/share/pixmaps/', '/usr/share/icons/hicolor/' }
+    local icontypes = { 'apps', 'actions',  'categories',  'emblems',
+        'mimetypes',  'status', 'devices', 'extras', 'places', 'stock' }
     for _, d in pairs(dirs) do
         local icon
         for _, e in pairs(exts) do