diff --git a/notebook/static/edit/js/main.js b/notebook/static/edit/js/main.js
index ee687cc4b..958d2b711 100644
--- a/notebook/static/edit/js/main.js
+++ b/notebook/static/edit/js/main.js
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ require([
     config.load();
     var common_config = new configmod.ConfigSection('common', {base_url: base_url});
     common_config.load();
-    contents = new contents_service.Contents({
+    var contents = new contents_service.Contents({
         base_url: base_url,
         common_config: common_config
     });