diff --git a/compile.php b/compile.php
index bb071f0c..78055a77 100755
--- a/compile.php
+++ b/compile.php
@@ -298,6 +298,9 @@ function php_shrink($input) {
 				$token[1] = substr_replace($token[1], "* @version $VERSION\n", -2, 0);
 			}
 			if ($token[0] == T_VAR || $token[0] == T_PUBLIC || $token[0] == T_PROTECTED || $token[0] == T_PRIVATE) {
+				if ($token[0] == T_PUBLIC && $tokens[$i+2][1][0] == '$') {
+					$token[1] = 'var';
+				}
 				$shortening = false;
 			} elseif (!$shortening) {
 				if ($token[1] == ';') {