diff --git a/highlighters/main/main-highlighter.zsh b/highlighters/main/main-highlighter.zsh
index cb4e914..369c62a 100644
--- a/highlighters/main/main-highlighter.zsh
+++ b/highlighters/main/main-highlighter.zsh
@@ -514,7 +514,7 @@ _zsh_highlight_highlighter_main_paint()
         # Set $arg.
         case ${(tP)MATCH} in
           (*array*|*assoc*)
-            local -a words=( ${(P)MATCH} )
+            local -a words; words=( ${(P)MATCH} )
             arg=${words[1]}
             ;;
           (*)