diff --git a/src/parse_execution.cpp b/src/parse_execution.cpp
index 2af130d63..db0e620cb 100644
--- a/src/parse_execution.cpp
+++ b/src/parse_execution.cpp
@@ -396,6 +396,11 @@ parse_execution_result_t parse_execution_context_t::run_for_statement(
         }
     }
 
+    if (!valid_var_name(for_var_name)) {
+        report_error(var_name_node, L"invalid var name: %ls", for_var_name.c_str());
+        return parse_execution_errored;
+    }
+
     for_block_t *fb = parser->push_block<for_block_t>();
 
     // Now drive the for loop.