diff --git a/src/evalvars.c b/src/evalvars.c
index 1d5aedf..9bd1cc1 100644
--- a/src/evalvars.c
+++ b/src/evalvars.c
@@ -3339,10 +3339,12 @@
     dictitem_T	*di;
     typval_T	*dest_tv = NULL;
     char_u	*varname;
+    char_u	*name_tofree = NULL;
     hashtab_T	*ht = NULL;
     int		is_script_local;
     int		vim9script = in_vim9script();
     int		var_in_vim9script;
+    int		var_in_autoload = FALSE;
     int		flags = flags_arg;
     int		free_tv_arg = !copy;  // free tv_arg if not used
 
@@ -3353,13 +3355,34 @@
 	varname = name;
     }
     else
-	ht = find_var_ht(name, &varname);
+    {
+	if (in_vim9script() && SCRIPT_ID_VALID(current_sctx.sc_sid)
+		&& SCRIPT_ITEM(current_sctx.sc_sid)->sn_autoload_prefix != NULL
+		&& is_export)
+	{
+	    scriptitem_T *si = SCRIPT_ITEM(current_sctx.sc_sid);
+	    size_t	 len = STRLEN(name) + STRLEN(si->sn_autoload_prefix) + 1;
+
+	    // In a vim9 autoload script an exported variable is put in the
+	    // global namespace with the autoload prefix.
+	    var_in_autoload = TRUE;
+	    varname = alloc(len);
+	    if (varname == NULL)
+		goto failed;
+	    name_tofree = varname;
+	    vim_snprintf((char *)varname, len, "%s%s",
+						 si->sn_autoload_prefix, name);
+	    ht = &globvarht;
+	}
+	else
+	    ht = find_var_ht(name, &varname);
+    }
     if (ht == NULL || *varname == NUL)
     {
 	semsg(_(e_illegal_variable_name_str), name);
 	goto failed;
     }
-    is_script_local = ht == get_script_local_ht() || sid != 0;
+    is_script_local = ht == get_script_local_ht() || sid != 0 || var_in_autoload;
 
     if (vim9script
 	    && !is_script_local
@@ -3470,9 +3493,10 @@
 
 		// A Vim9 script-local variable is also present in sn_all_vars
 		// and sn_var_vals.  It may set "type" from "tv".
-		if (var_in_vim9script)
-		    update_vim9_script_var(FALSE, di, flags, tv, &type,
-					 (flags & ASSIGN_NO_MEMBER_TYPE) == 0);
+		if (var_in_vim9script || var_in_autoload)
+		    update_vim9_script_var(FALSE, di,
+			    var_in_autoload ? name : di->di_key, flags,
+			    tv, &type, (flags & ASSIGN_NO_MEMBER_TYPE) == 0);
 	    }
 
 	    // existing variable, need to clear the value
@@ -3550,10 +3574,11 @@
 		goto failed;
 	    }
 
-	    // Make sure the variable name is valid.  In Vim9 script an autoload
-	    // variable must be prefixed with "g:".
+	    // Make sure the variable name is valid.  In Vim9 script an
+	    // autoload variable must be prefixed with "g:" unless in an
+	    // autoload script.
 	    if (!valid_varname(varname, -1, !vim9script
-					       || STRNCMP(name, "g:", 2) == 0))
+			    || STRNCMP(name, "g:", 2) == 0 || var_in_autoload))
 		goto failed;
 
 	    di = alloc(sizeof(dictitem_T) + STRLEN(varname));
@@ -3571,9 +3596,10 @@
 
 	    // A Vim9 script-local variable is also added to sn_all_vars and
 	    // sn_var_vals. It may set "type" from "tv".
-	    if (var_in_vim9script)
-		update_vim9_script_var(TRUE, di, flags, tv, &type,
-					 (flags & ASSIGN_NO_MEMBER_TYPE) == 0);
+	    if (var_in_vim9script || var_in_autoload)
+		update_vim9_script_var(TRUE, di,
+			var_in_autoload ? name : di->di_key, flags,
+			      tv, &type, (flags & ASSIGN_NO_MEMBER_TYPE) == 0);
 	}
 
 	dest_tv = &di->di_tv;
@@ -3618,6 +3644,7 @@
 	item_lock(dest_tv, DICT_MAXNEST, TRUE, TRUE);
 
 failed:
+    vim_free(name_tofree);
     if (free_tv_arg)
 	clear_tv(tv_arg);
 }
diff --git a/src/proto/scriptfile.pro b/src/proto/scriptfile.pro
index 140d67b..477dc3e 100644
--- a/src/proto/scriptfile.pro
+++ b/src/proto/scriptfile.pro
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@
 void do_finish(exarg_T *eap, int reanimate);
 int source_finished(char_u *(*fgetline)(int, void *, int, getline_opt_T), void *cookie);
 char_u *script_name_after_autoload(scriptitem_T *si);
+char_u *get_autoload_prefix(scriptitem_T *si);
 char_u *may_prefix_autoload(char_u *name);
 char_u *autoload_name(char_u *name);
 int script_autoload(char_u *name, int reload);
diff --git a/src/proto/vim9script.pro b/src/proto/vim9script.pro
index 2644824..46211dd 100644
--- a/src/proto/vim9script.pro
+++ b/src/proto/vim9script.pro
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 void ex_import(exarg_T *eap);
 int find_exported(int sid, char_u *name, ufunc_T **ufunc, type_T **type, cctx_T *cctx, int verbose);
 char_u *vim9_declare_scriptvar(exarg_T *eap, char_u *arg);
-void update_vim9_script_var(int create, dictitem_T *di, int flags, typval_T *tv, type_T **type, int do_member);
+void update_vim9_script_var(int create, dictitem_T *di, char_u *name, int flags, typval_T *tv, type_T **type, int do_member);
 void hide_script_var(scriptitem_T *si, int idx, int func_defined);
 svar_T *find_typval_in_script(typval_T *dest, scid_T sid);
 int check_script_var_type(svar_T *sv, typval_T *value, char_u *name, where_T where);
diff --git a/src/scriptfile.c b/src/scriptfile.c
index 7680fd5..7c5da2e 100644
--- a/src/scriptfile.c
+++ b/src/scriptfile.c
@@ -1711,6 +1711,7 @@
 #  ifdef FEAT_PROFILE
 	ga_clear(&si->sn_prl_ga);
 #  endif
+	vim_free(si->sn_autoload_prefix);
 	vim_free(si);
     }
     ga_clear(&script_items);
@@ -2142,6 +2143,41 @@
 }
 
 /*
+ * For an autoload script "autoload/dir/script.vim" return the prefix
+ * "dir#script#" in allocated memory.
+ * Returns NULL if anything is wrong.
+ */
+    char_u *
+get_autoload_prefix(scriptitem_T *si)
+{
+    char_u *p = script_name_after_autoload(si);
+    char_u *prefix;
+
+    if (p == NULL)
+	return NULL;
+    prefix = vim_strsave(p);
+    if (prefix == NULL)
+	return NULL;
+
+    // replace all '/' with '#' and locate ".vim" at the end
+    for (p = prefix; *p != NUL; p += mb_ptr2len(p))
+    {
+	if (vim_ispathsep(*p))
+	    *p = '#';
+	else if (STRCMP(p, ".vim") == 0)
+	{
+	    p[0] = '#';
+	    p[1] = NUL;
+	    return prefix;
+	}
+    }
+
+    // did not find ".vim" at the end
+    vim_free(prefix);
+    return NULL;
+}
+
+/*
  * If in a Vim9 autoload script return "name" with the autoload prefix for the
  * script.  If successful "name" is freed, the returned name is allocated.
  * Otherwise it returns "name" unmodified.
@@ -2153,37 +2189,28 @@
     {
 	scriptitem_T *si = SCRIPT_ITEM(current_sctx.sc_sid);
 
-	if (si->sn_is_autoload)
+	if (si->sn_autoload_prefix != NULL)
 	{
-	    char_u *p = script_name_after_autoload(si);
+	    char_u  *basename = name;
+	    size_t  len;
+	    char_u  *res;
 
-	    if (p != NULL)
+	    if (*name == K_SPECIAL)
 	    {
-		char_u *tail = vim_strsave(p);
+		char_u *p = vim_strchr(name, '_');
 
-		if (tail != NULL)
-		{
-		    for (p = tail; *p != NUL; p += mb_ptr2len(p))
-		    {
-			if (vim_ispathsep(*p))
-			    *p = '#';
-			else if (STRCMP(p, ".vim"))
-			{
-			    size_t  len = (p - tail) + STRLEN(name) + 2;
-			    char_u  *res = alloc(len);
+		// skip over "<SNR>99_"
+		if (p != NULL)
+		    basename = p + 1;
+	    }
 
-			    if (res == NULL)
-				break;
-			    *p = NUL;
-			    vim_snprintf((char *)res, len, "%s#%s", tail, name);
-			    vim_free(name);
-			    vim_free(tail);
-			    return res;
-			}
-		    }
-		}
-		// did not find ".vim" at the end
-		vim_free(tail);
+	    len = STRLEN(si->sn_autoload_prefix) + STRLEN(basename) + 2;
+	    res = alloc(len);
+	    if (res != NULL)
+	    {
+		vim_snprintf((char *)res, len, "%s%s",
+					     si->sn_autoload_prefix, basename);
+		return res;
 	    }
 	}
     }
diff --git a/src/structs.h b/src/structs.h
index fd4be4f..f733268 100644
--- a/src/structs.h
+++ b/src/structs.h
@@ -1864,7 +1864,9 @@
     int		sn_state;	// SN_STATE_ values
     char_u	*sn_save_cpo;	// 'cpo' value when :vim9script found
     char	sn_is_vimrc;	// .vimrc file, do not restore 'cpo'
-    char	sn_is_autoload;	// "vim9script autoload"
+
+    // for "vim9script autoload" this is "dir#scriptname#"
+    char_u	*sn_autoload_prefix;
 
 # ifdef FEAT_PROFILE
     int		sn_prof_on;	// TRUE when script is/was profiled
diff --git a/src/testdir/test_vim9_script.vim b/src/testdir/test_vim9_script.vim
index 97a51a5..a907383 100644
--- a/src/testdir/test_vim9_script.vim
+++ b/src/testdir/test_vim9_script.vim
@@ -3049,6 +3049,14 @@
       assert_false(exists('g:prefixed_loaded'))
       assert_equal('test', prefixed.Gettest())
       assert_equal('yes', g:prefixed_loaded)
+      assert_equal('name', prefixed.name)
+  END
+  CheckScriptSuccess(lines)
+
+  # can also get the items by autoload name
+  lines =<< trim END
+      call assert_equal('test', prefixed#Gettest())
+      call assert_equal('name', prefixed#name)
   END
   CheckScriptSuccess(lines)
 
diff --git a/src/userfunc.c b/src/userfunc.c
index ecd2e7c..a3ff38c 100644
--- a/src/userfunc.c
+++ b/src/userfunc.c
@@ -4080,8 +4080,11 @@
 		eap->skip = TRUE;
 	}
 
-//	if (is_export)
-//	    name = may_prefix_autoload(name);
+	// For "export def FuncName()" in an autoload script the function name
+	// is stored with the legacy autoload name "dir#script#FuncName" so
+	// that it can also be found in legacy script.
+	if (is_export)
+	    name = may_prefix_autoload(name);
     }
 
     // An error in a function call during evaluation of an expression in magic
diff --git a/src/version.c b/src/version.c
index 5f8fc2a..6ab7271 100644
--- a/src/version.c
+++ b/src/version.c
@@ -751,6 +751,8 @@
 static int included_patches[] =
 {   /* Add new patch number below this line */
 /**/
+    4053,
+/**/
     4052,
 /**/
     4051,
diff --git a/src/vim9script.c b/src/vim9script.c
index a8b76bb..e5ed604 100644
--- a/src/vim9script.c
+++ b/src/vim9script.c
@@ -132,7 +132,8 @@
     }
     si->sn_state = SN_STATE_HAD_COMMAND;
 
-    si->sn_is_autoload = found_autoload;
+    // Store the prefix with the script.  It isused to find exported functions.
+    si->sn_autoload_prefix = get_autoload_prefix(si);
 
     current_sctx.sc_version = SCRIPT_VERSION_VIM9;
     si->sn_version = SCRIPT_VERSION_VIM9;
@@ -663,22 +664,37 @@
     }
     else
     {
+	size_t	len = STRLEN(name);
 	char_u	buffer[200];
 	char_u	*funcname;
 
-	// it could be a user function.
-	if (STRLEN(name) < sizeof(buffer) - 15)
+	// It could be a user function.  Normally this is stored as
+	// "<SNR>99_name".  For an autoload script a function is stored with
+	// the autoload prefix: "dir#script#name".
+	if (script->sn_autoload_prefix != NULL)
+	    len += STRLEN(script->sn_autoload_prefix) + 2;
+	else
+	    len += 15;
+
+	if (len < sizeof(buffer))
 	    funcname = buffer;
 	else
 	{
-	    funcname = alloc(STRLEN(name) + 15);
+	    funcname = alloc(len);
 	    if (funcname == NULL)
 		return -1;
 	}
-	funcname[0] = K_SPECIAL;
-	funcname[1] = KS_EXTRA;
-	funcname[2] = (int)KE_SNR;
-	sprintf((char *)funcname + 3, "%ld_%s", (long)sid, name);
+	if (script->sn_autoload_prefix != NULL)
+	{
+	    sprintf((char *)funcname, "%s%s", script->sn_autoload_prefix, name);
+	}
+	else
+	{
+	    funcname[0] = K_SPECIAL;
+	    funcname[1] = KS_EXTRA;
+	    funcname[2] = (int)KE_SNR;
+	    sprintf((char *)funcname + 3, "%ld_%s", (long)sid, name);
+	}
 	*ufunc = find_func(funcname, FALSE, NULL);
 	if (funcname != buffer)
 	    vim_free(funcname);
@@ -782,6 +798,7 @@
 update_vim9_script_var(
 	int	    create,
 	dictitem_T  *di,
+	char_u	    *name,
 	int	    flags,
 	typval_T    *tv,
 	type_T	    **type,
@@ -801,7 +818,7 @@
 	if (ga_grow(&si->sn_var_vals, 1) == FAIL)
 	    return;
 
-	hi = hash_find(&si->sn_all_vars.dv_hashtab, di->di_key);
+	hi = hash_find(&si->sn_all_vars.dv_hashtab, name);
 	if (!HASHITEM_EMPTY(hi))
 	{
 	    // Variable with this name exists, either in this block or in
@@ -833,7 +850,7 @@
 	    // svar_T and create a new sallvar_T.
 	    sv = ((svar_T *)si->sn_var_vals.ga_data) + si->sn_var_vals.ga_len;
 	    newsav = (sallvar_T *)alloc_clear(
-				       sizeof(sallvar_T) + STRLEN(di->di_key));
+				       sizeof(sallvar_T) + STRLEN(name));
 	    if (newsav == NULL)
 		return;
 
@@ -843,7 +860,7 @@
 	    sv->sv_export = is_export;
 	    newsav->sav_var_vals_idx = si->sn_var_vals.ga_len;
 	    ++si->sn_var_vals.ga_len;
-	    STRCPY(&newsav->sav_key, di->di_key);
+	    STRCPY(&newsav->sav_key, name);
 	    sv->sv_name = newsav->sav_key;
 	    newsav->sav_di = di;
 	    newsav->sav_block_id = si->sn_current_block_id;