diff --git a/modpol/orgs/base.lua b/modpol/orgs/base.lua
index ca915aa..1a975a6 100644
--- a/modpol/orgs/base.lua
+++ b/modpol/orgs/base.lua
@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@ end
 function modpol.orgs:remove_member(user)
     -- sets the array index to an empty string so that consecutive list is preserved
     -- empty spots will get filled in by new members
-    user_index = self:get_member_index(user)
+    local user_index = self:get_member_index(user)
     if user_index then
         self.members[user_index] = ''
     else
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ end
 -- ===========================================
 -- boolean check whether user is an org
 function modpol.orgs:has_member(user)
-    user_index = self:get_member_index(user)
+    local user_index = self:get_member_index(user)
     if user_index then
         return true
     else