diff --git a/core/words/alias/alias-tests.factor b/core/words/alias/alias-tests.factor
index 4dc53f769e..badf63486b 100644
--- a/core/words/alias/alias-tests.factor
+++ b/core/words/alias/alias-tests.factor
@@ -1,6 +1,11 @@
-USING: math eval tools.test effects ;
+USING: math eval lexer tools.test effects sequences ;
 IN: words.alias.tests
 
 ALIAS: foo +
 [ ] [ "IN: words.alias.tests CONSTANT: foo 5" eval( -- ) ] unit-test
 [ ( -- value ) ] [ \ foo stack-effect ] unit-test
+
+ALIAS: MY-H{ H{
+{ H{ { 1 2 } } } [
+    "IN: words.alias.tests MY-H{ { 1 2 } }" eval( -- x )
+] unit-test
diff --git a/core/words/alias/alias.factor b/core/words/alias/alias.factor
index e9fd7213fc..754cda996b 100644
--- a/core/words/alias/alias.factor
+++ b/core/words/alias/alias.factor
@@ -8,7 +8,8 @@ PREDICATE: alias < word "alias" word-prop ;
 
 : define-alias ( new old -- )
     [ [ 1quotation ] [ stack-effect ] bi define-inline ]
-    [ drop t "alias" set-word-prop ] 2bi ;
+    [ drop t "alias" set-word-prop ]
+    [ parsing-word? [ t "parsing" set-word-prop ] [ drop ] if ] 2tri ;
 
 M: alias reset-word
     [ call-next-method ] [ f "alias" set-word-prop ] bi ;