diff --git a/src/eval.c b/src/eval.c
index edef878..0dd2058 100644
--- a/src/eval.c
+++ b/src/eval.c
@@ -902,17 +902,26 @@
     if ((*p != '[' && *p != '.') || lp->ll_name == NULL)
 	return p;
 
-    cc = *p;
-    *p = NUL;
-    // When we would write to the variable pass &ht and prevent autoload.
-    writing = !(flags & GLV_READ_ONLY);
-    v = find_var(lp->ll_name, writing ? &ht : NULL,
+    if (in_vim9script() && lval_root != NULL)
+    {
+	// using local variable
+	lp->ll_tv = lval_root;
+    }
+    else
+    {
+	cc = *p;
+	*p = NUL;
+	// When we would write to the variable pass &ht and prevent autoload.
+	writing = !(flags & GLV_READ_ONLY);
+	v = find_var(lp->ll_name, writing ? &ht : NULL,
 					 (flags & GLV_NO_AUTOLOAD) || writing);
-    if (v == NULL && !quiet)
-	semsg(_(e_undefined_variable_str), lp->ll_name);
-    *p = cc;
-    if (v == NULL)
-	return NULL;
+	if (v == NULL && !quiet)
+	    semsg(_(e_undefined_variable_str), lp->ll_name);
+	*p = cc;
+	if (v == NULL)
+	    return NULL;
+	lp->ll_tv = &v->di_tv;
+    }
 
     if (in_vim9script() && (flags & GLV_NO_DECL) == 0)
     {
@@ -924,7 +933,6 @@
     /*
      * Loop until no more [idx] or .key is following.
      */
-    lp->ll_tv = &v->di_tv;
     var1.v_type = VAR_UNKNOWN;
     var2.v_type = VAR_UNKNOWN;
     while (*p == '[' || (*p == '.' && p[1] != '=' && p[1] != '.'))