diff --git a/packages/spacebars/spacebars.js b/packages/spacebars/spacebars.js
index 16bb660e95..3b2e2a1f69 100644
--- a/packages/spacebars/spacebars.js
+++ b/packages/spacebars/spacebars.js
@@ -705,7 +705,7 @@ Spacebars.compile = function (inputString, options) {
     // as a string, and then the renderer could choke on
     // that in a way where it ends up in the error message.
 
-    var compFunc = 'function () { return ((' + nameCode +
+    var compFunc = 'function () { return (Spacebars.call(' + nameCode +
           ') || null); }';
 
     if (path.length === 1)