diff --git a/src/item.cpp b/src/item.cpp
index 94626353d472e..b1e7f0bb82647 100644
--- a/src/item.cpp
+++ b/src/item.cpp
@@ -343,8 +343,8 @@ item::item( const itype *type, time_point turn, int qty ) : type( type ), bday(
 
     if( has_flag( flag_ENERGY_SHIELD ) ) {
         const islot_armor *sh = find_armor_data();
-        set_var( "MAX_ENERGY_SHIELD_HP", sh->max_energy_shield_hp );
-        set_var( "ENERGY_SHIELD_HP", sh->max_energy_shield_hp );
+        set_var( "npctalk_var_MAX_ENERGY_SHIELD_HP", sh->max_energy_shield_hp );
+        set_var( "npctalk_var_ENERGY_SHIELD_HP", sh->max_energy_shield_hp );
     }
 
     if( has_flag( flag_COLLAPSE_CONTENTS ) ) {
@@ -9055,10 +9055,10 @@ item::armor_status item::damage_armor_durability( damage_unit &du, damage_unit &
 {
     //Energy shields aren't damaged by attacks but do get their health variable reduced.  They are also only
     //damaged by the damage types they actually protect against.
-    if( has_var( "ENERGY_SHIELD_HP" ) && resist( du.type, false, bp ) > 0.0f ) {
-        double shield_hp = get_var( "ENERGY_SHIELD_HP", 0.0 );
+    if( has_var( "npctalk_var_ENERGY_SHIELD_HP" ) && resist( du.type, false, bp ) > 0.0f ) {
+        double shield_hp = get_var( "npctalk_var_ENERGY_SHIELD_HP", 0.0 );
         shield_hp -= premitigated.amount;
-        set_var( "ENERGY_SHIELD_HP", shield_hp );
+        set_var( "npctalk_var_ENERGY_SHIELD_HP", shield_hp );
         if( shield_hp > 0 ) {
             return armor_status::UNDAMAGED;
         } else {