diff --git a/compiler/src/symboltable.rs b/compiler/src/symboltable.rs
index 3c70d4fc25..c07b5ae403 100644
--- a/compiler/src/symboltable.rs
+++ b/compiler/src/symboltable.rs
@@ -251,8 +251,11 @@ impl SymbolTableAnalyzer {
                     if found_in_outer_scope {
                         // Symbol is in some outer scope.
                         symbol.is_free = true;
+                    } else if self.tables.is_empty() {
+                        // Don't make assumptions when we don't know.
+                        symbol.scope = SymbolScope::Unknown;
                     } else {
-                        // Well, it must be a global then :)
+                        // If there are scopes above we can assume global.
                         symbol.scope = SymbolScope::Global;
                     }
                 }
diff --git a/tests/snippets/global_nonlocal.py b/tests/snippets/global_nonlocal.py
index ddf5e1ed22..1996f2e331 100644
--- a/tests/snippets/global_nonlocal.py
+++ b/tests/snippets/global_nonlocal.py
@@ -15,8 +15,11 @@ def b():
 
 def x():
     def y():
+        global a
         nonlocal b
+        assert a == 4, a
         b = 3
+    a = "no!" # a here shouldn't be seen by the global above.
     b = 2
     y()
     return b
diff --git a/vm/src/scope.rs b/vm/src/scope.rs
index 3ba068f6e5..eda7ddc09b 100644
--- a/vm/src/scope.rs
+++ b/vm/src/scope.rs
@@ -179,15 +179,6 @@ impl NameProtocol for Scope {
     #[cfg_attr(feature = "flame-it", flame("Scope"))]
     /// Load a global name.
     fn load_global(&self, vm: &VirtualMachine, name: &str) -> Option<PyObjectRef> {
-        // First, take a look in the outmost local scope (the scope at top level)
-        let last_local_dict = self.locals.iter().last();
-        if let Some(local_dict) = last_local_dict {
-            if let Some(value) = local_dict.get_item_option(name, vm).unwrap() {
-                return Some(value);
-            }
-        }
-
-        // Now, take a look at the globals or builtins.
         if let Some(value) = self.globals.get_item_option(name, vm).unwrap() {
             Some(value)
         } else {