diff --git a/syntax_checkers/sass.vim b/syntax_checkers/sass.vim
index d6147811..23bf345c 100644
--- a/syntax_checkers/sass.vim
+++ b/syntax_checkers/sass.vim
@@ -19,17 +19,14 @@ if !executable("sass")
     finish
 endif
 
-let g:syntastic_sass_imports = 0
+"use compass imports if available
+let s:imports = ""
+if executable("compass")
+    let s:imports = "--compass"
+endif
 
 function! SyntaxCheckers_sass_GetLocList()
-    "use compass imports if available
-    if g:syntastic_sass_imports == 0 && executable("compass")
-        let g:syntastic_sass_imports = "--compass"
-    else
-        let g:syntastic_sass_imports = ""
-    endif
-
-    let makeprg='sass '.g:syntastic_sass_imports.' --check '.shellescape(expand('%'))
+    let makeprg='sass '.s:imports.' --check '.shellescape(expand('%'))
     let errorformat = '%ESyntax %trror:%m,%C        on line %l of %f,%Z%.%#'
     let errorformat .= ',%Wwarning on line %l:,%Z%m,Syntax %trror on line %l: %m'
     let loclist = SyntasticMake({ 'makeprg': makeprg, 'errorformat': errorformat })