Index: src/parser/quote_expression.pir
===================================================================
--- src/parser/quote_expression.pir	(revision 29737)
+++ src/parser/quote_expression.pir	(working copy)
@@ -357,7 +357,8 @@
     litchar = substr target, pos, 1
     ##  if we've reached an escape char, we're done
     $I0 = index escapes, litchar
-    if $I0 >= 0 goto succeed
+    if $I0 >= 0 goto check_if_really_variable
+  wasnt_variable:
     ##  if this isn't an interpolation, add the char
     unless optq goto add_litchar
     if litchar != "\\" goto add_litchar
@@ -394,6 +395,14 @@
     inc pos
     goto scan_loop
 
+  check_if_really_variable:
+    .local pmc action
+    action = options['action']
+    mob.'to'(pos)
+    $P0 = mob.'variable'('action'=>action)
+    if $P0 goto succeed
+    goto wasnt_variable
+
   scan_xdo:
     ##  handle \x, \d, and \o escapes.  start by converting
     ##  the backchar into 8, 10, or 16 (yes, it's a hack