diff --git a/mk2rbc/variable.go b/mk2rbc/variable.go
index 56db192..a650453 100644
--- a/mk2rbc/variable.go
+++ b/mk2rbc/variable.go
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
 	emitSet(gctx *generationContext, asgn *assignmentNode)
 	emitDefined(gctx *generationContext)
 	valueType() starlarkType
+	setValueType(t starlarkType)
 	defaultValueString() string
 	isPreset() bool
 }
@@ -44,6 +45,10 @@
 	return v.typ
 }
 
+func (v *baseVariable) setValueType(t starlarkType) {
+	v.typ = t
+}
+
 func (v baseVariable) isPreset() bool {
 	return v.preset
 }
@@ -279,7 +284,7 @@
 		} else if name == strings.ToLower(name) {
 			// Heuristics: if variable's name is all lowercase, consider it local
 			// string variable.
-			v = &localVariable{baseVariable{nam: name, typ: starlarkTypeString}}
+			v = &localVariable{baseVariable{nam: name, typ: starlarkTypeUnknown}}
 		} else {
 			vt := starlarkTypeUnknown
 			if strings.HasPrefix(name, "LOCAL_") {