diff --git a/lang/src/compiler/entry/using_resolver_box.hako b/lang/src/compiler/entry/using_resolver_box.hako
index ca13d336..2c3adf26 100644
--- a/lang/src/compiler/entry/using_resolver_box.hako
+++ b/lang/src/compiler/entry/using_resolver_box.hako
@@ -211,8 +211,8 @@ static box Stage1UsingResolverBox {
 
   _read_file(path) {
     if path == null { return null }
-    @fb = new FileBox()
-    @ok = fb.open(path, "r")
+    local fb = new FileBox()
+    local ok = fb.open(path, "r")
     if ok != 1 {
       // Dev note: keep quiet by default; enable verbose by setting HAKO_STAGEB_USING_DEBUG=1.
       local dbg = env.get("HAKO_STAGEB_USING_DEBUG")
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ static box Stage1UsingResolverBox {
       }
       return null
     }
-    @content = fb.read()
+    local content = fb.read()
     fb.close()
     return content
   }