diff --git a/includes/bootstrap.inc b/includes/bootstrap.inc
index 2809d10..2e98032 100644
--- a/includes/bootstrap.inc
+++ b/includes/bootstrap.inc
@@ -1277,7 +1277,11 @@ function drupal_unpack($obj, $field = 'data') {
  */
 function t($string, array $args = array(), array $options = array()) {
   global $language;
-  static $custom_strings;
+  static $drupal_static_fast;
+  if (!isset($drupal_static_fast)) {
+    $drupal_static_fast[0] = &drupal_static(__FUNCTION__);
+  }
+  $custom_strings = &$drupal_static_fast[0];
 
   // Merge in default.
   if (empty($options['langcode'])) {