diff --git a/django/core/management/commands/syncdb.py b/django/core/management/commands/syncdb.py
index c1f360a985..202ad004f0 100644
--- a/django/core/management/commands/syncdb.py
+++ b/django/core/management/commands/syncdb.py
@@ -40,14 +40,14 @@ class Command(NoArgsCommand):
 
         # Get a list of all existing database tables,
         # so we know what needs to be added.
-        table_list = table_list()
+        tables = table_list()
         if connection.features.uses_case_insensitive_names:
             table_name_converter = str.upper
         else:
             table_name_converter = lambda x: x
 
         # Get a list of already installed *models* so that references work right.
-        seen_models = installed_models(table_list)
+        seen_models = installed_models(tables)
         created_models = set()
         pending_references = {}
 
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ class Command(NoArgsCommand):
                 # Create the model's database table, if it doesn't already exist.
                 if verbosity >= 2:
                     print "Processing %s.%s model" % (app_name, model._meta.object_name)
-                if table_name_converter(model._meta.db_table) in table_list:
+                if table_name_converter(model._meta.db_table) in tables:
                     continue
                 sql, references = sql_model_create(model, self.style, seen_models)
                 seen_models.add(model)
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ class Command(NoArgsCommand):
                     print "Creating table %s" % model._meta.db_table
                 for statement in sql:
                     cursor.execute(statement)
-                table_list.append(table_name_converter(model._meta.db_table))
+                tables.append(table_name_converter(model._meta.db_table))
 
         # Create the m2m tables. This must be done after all tables have been created
         # to ensure that all referred tables will exist.