diff --git a/contrib/completion/git-completion.bash b/contrib/completion/git-completion.bash
index 8ee82cbae5..d6ddf81d69 100755
--- a/contrib/completion/git-completion.bash
+++ b/contrib/completion/git-completion.bash
@@ -2608,6 +2608,10 @@ _git ()
 	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 prev
@@ -2659,6 +2663,10 @@ _gitk ()
 	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 prev