diff --git a/src/plottools/legend.py b/src/plottools/legend.py
index 6ce7b37..538dc01 100644
--- a/src/plottools/legend.py
+++ b/src/plottools/legend.py
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ def legend(ax, *args, **kwargs):
     if 'labels' in kwargs:
         labels = kwargs.pop('labels')
     labels = list(labels)
+    newkwargs = dict()
     for k in range(len(labels)):
         labels[k], newkwargs = translate_latex_text(labels[k], **kwargs)
     lgd = ax.__legend_orig_legend(handles, labels, *args, **newkwargs)