diff --git a/compiler/codegen/src/symboltable.rs b/compiler/codegen/src/symboltable.rs
index 3cb2939c3..3182f3d33 100644
--- a/compiler/codegen/src/symboltable.rs
+++ b/compiler/codegen/src/symboltable.rs
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ impl Symbol {
     }
 
     pub fn is_local(&self) -> bool {
-        self.scope == SymbolScope::Local
+        matches!(self.scope, SymbolScope::Local | SymbolScope::Cell)
     }
 
     pub fn is_bound(&self) -> bool {
diff --git a/vm/src/stdlib/symtable.rs b/vm/src/stdlib/symtable.rs
index 4cf924e46..356de12fb 100644
--- a/vm/src/stdlib/symtable.rs
+++ b/vm/src/stdlib/symtable.rs
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ mod symtable {
 
         #[pymethod]
         fn is_local(&self) -> bool {
-            self.symbol.is_local()
+            self.symbol.is_local() || (self.is_top_scope && self.symbol.is_bound())
         }
 
         #[pymethod]