diff --git a/qutebrowser/commands/runners.py b/qutebrowser/commands/runners.py
index 965f4a6b6..0171f6c37 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/commands/runners.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/commands/runners.py
@@ -68,11 +68,7 @@ def replace_variables(win_id, arglist):
     }
     for key in list(variables):
         modified_key = '{' + key + '}'
-
-        def key_function(modified_key):
-            return lambda: modified_key
-
-        variables[modified_key] = key_function(modified_key)
+        variables[modified_key] = lambda x=modified_key: x
     values = {}
     args = []
     tabbed_browser = objreg.get('tabbed-browser', scope='window',