if [[ -n ${ZSH_VERSION-} ]]; then
                emulate -L bash
                setopt KSH_TYPESET
+
+               # workaround zsh's bug that leaves 'words' as a special
+               # variable in versions < 4.3.12
+               typeset -h words
        fi
 
        local cur words cword
        if [[ -n ${ZSH_VERSION-} ]]; then
                emulate -L bash
                setopt KSH_TYPESET
+
+               # workaround zsh's bug that leaves 'words' as a special
+               # variable in versions < 4.3.12
+               typeset -h words
        fi
 
        __git_has_doubledash && return