diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Ajax.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Ajax.js
index f4b35c6068..499bacb81f 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Ajax.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Ajax.js
@@ -183,6 +183,7 @@ OpenLayers.Ajax.Responders = {
      * json - {?}
      */
     dispatch: function(callback, request, transport, json) {
+        var responder;
         for (var i = 0; i < this.responders.length; i++) {
             responder = this.responders[i];