diff --git a/src/mes.c b/src/mes.c
index 61ca9183..d3443c49 100644
--- a/src/mes.c
+++ b/src/mes.c
@@ -1173,6 +1173,11 @@ eval_apply ()
                   SCM name = CADR (r2);
                   if (TYPE (CADR (r2)) == TPAIR)
                     name = CAR (name);
+#if __MESC__
+                  // hmm, mes needs a reminder...
+                  global_p = CAAR (r0) != cell_closure;
+                  macro_p = CAR (r2) == cell_symbol_define_macro;
+#endif // __MESC__
                   if (macro_p)
                     {
                       SCM entry = assq (name, g_macros);