diff --git a/mitxmako/middleware.py b/mitxmako/middleware.py
index 4cf4b6c6bc..481d1db672 100644
--- a/mitxmako/middleware.py
+++ b/mitxmako/middleware.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import tempfile
 from django.template import RequestContext
 
 requestcontext = None
+lookup = None
 
 class MakoMiddleware(object):
     def __init__(self):