diff --git a/Zend/zend.c b/Zend/zend.c
index 14045914b64..85578b5aac3 100644
--- a/Zend/zend.c
+++ b/Zend/zend.c
@@ -938,7 +938,6 @@ ZEND_API void zend_deactivate(TSRMLS_D) /* {{{ */
 {
 	/* we're no longer executing anything */
 	EG(current_execute_data) = NULL;
-	EG(active_symbol_table) = NULL;
 
 	zend_try {
 		shutdown_scanner(TSRMLS_C);
@@ -1037,6 +1036,7 @@ ZEND_API void zend_error(int type, const char *format, ...) /* {{{ */
 	zend_stack declare_stack;
 	zend_stack list_stack;
 	zend_stack context_stack;
+	zend_array *symbol_table;
 	TSRMLS_FETCH();
 
 	/* Report about uncaught exception in case of fatal errors */
@@ -1175,16 +1175,14 @@ ZEND_API void zend_error(int type, const char *format, ...) /* {{{ */
 
 			ZVAL_LONG(&params[3], error_lineno);
 
-			if (!EG(active_symbol_table)) {
-				zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
-			}
+			symbol_table = zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
 
 			/* during shutdown the symbol table table can be still null */
-			if (!EG(active_symbol_table)) {
+			if (!symbol_table) {
 				ZVAL_NULL(&params[4]);
 			} else {
 				ZVAL_NEW_ARR(&params[4]);
-				zend_array_dup(Z_ARRVAL(params[4]), &EG(active_symbol_table)->ht);
+				zend_array_dup(Z_ARRVAL(params[4]), &symbol_table->ht);
 			}
 
 			ZVAL_COPY_VALUE(&orig_user_error_handler, &EG(user_error_handler));
diff --git a/Zend/zend_API.h b/Zend/zend_API.h
index eafdf64b4b1..b702bd41384 100644
--- a/Zend/zend_API.h
+++ b/Zend/zend_API.h
@@ -521,7 +521,7 @@ ZEND_API int zend_set_hash_symbol(zval *symbol, const char *name, int name_lengt
 
 ZEND_API int zend_delete_global_variable(zend_string *name TSRMLS_DC);
 
-ZEND_API void zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_D);
+ZEND_API zend_array *zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_D);
 ZEND_API void zend_attach_symbol_table(zend_execute_data *execute_data);
 ZEND_API void zend_detach_symbol_table(zend_execute_data *execute_data);
 ZEND_API int zend_set_local_var(zend_string *name, zval *value, int force TSRMLS_DC);
diff --git a/Zend/zend_builtin_functions.c b/Zend/zend_builtin_functions.c
index a9b7a6c12b2..dbe02ded5cb 100644
--- a/Zend/zend_builtin_functions.c
+++ b/Zend/zend_builtin_functions.c
@@ -1749,12 +1749,10 @@ ZEND_FUNCTION(get_defined_functions)
    Returns an associative array of names and values of all currently defined variable names (variables in the current scope) */
 ZEND_FUNCTION(get_defined_vars)
 {
-	if (!EG(active_symbol_table)) {
-		zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
-	}
+	zend_array *symbol_table = zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
 
 	ZVAL_NEW_ARR(return_value);
-	zend_array_dup(Z_ARRVAL_P(return_value), &EG(active_symbol_table)->ht);
+	zend_array_dup(Z_ARRVAL_P(return_value), &symbol_table->ht);
 }
 /* }}} */
 
diff --git a/Zend/zend_execute.c b/Zend/zend_execute.c
index 37facb34120..44519adcec9 100644
--- a/Zend/zend_execute.c
+++ b/Zend/zend_execute.c
@@ -1444,8 +1444,8 @@ static inline zend_brk_cont_element* zend_brk_cont(int nest_levels, int array_of
 
 #define CHECK_SYMBOL_TABLES()													\
 	zend_hash_apply(&EG(symbol_table), zend_check_symbol TSRMLS_CC);			\
-	if (&EG(symbol_table)!=EG(active_symbol_table)) {							\
-		zend_hash_apply(EG(active_symbol_table), zend_check_symbol TSRMLS_CC);	\
+	if (&EG(symbol_table)!=EX(symbol_table)) {							\
+		zend_hash_apply(EX(symbol_table), zend_check_symbol TSRMLS_CC);	\
 	}
 
 static int zend_check_symbol(zval *pz TSRMLS_DC)
@@ -1543,6 +1543,93 @@ void zend_free_compiled_variables(zend_execute_data *execute_data TSRMLS_DC) /*
  *                             +----------------------------------------+
  */
 
+static zend_always_inline void i_init_func_execute_data(zend_execute_data *execute_data, zend_op_array *op_array, zval *return_value, vm_frame_kind frame_kind TSRMLS_DC) /* {{{ */
+{
+	zend_uint first_extra_arg;
+	ZEND_ASSERT(EX(func) == (zend_function*)op_array);
+	ZEND_ASSERT(EX(object) == Z_OBJ(EG(This)));
+
+	EX(return_value) = return_value;
+	EX(frame_kind) = frame_kind;
+	ZVAL_UNDEF(&EX(old_error_reporting));
+	EX(delayed_exception) = NULL;
+	EX(call) = NULL;
+
+	EX(opline) = UNEXPECTED((op_array->fn_flags & ZEND_ACC_INTERACTIVE) != 0) && EG(start_op) ? EG(start_op) : op_array->opcodes;
+	EX(scope) = EG(scope);
+
+	first_extra_arg = op_array->num_args;
+		
+	if (UNEXPECTED((op_array->fn_flags & ZEND_ACC_VARIADIC) != 0)) {
+		first_extra_arg--;
+	}
+	if (UNEXPECTED(EX(num_args) > first_extra_arg)) {
+		/* move extra args into separate array after all CV and TMP vars */
+		zval *extra_args = EX_VAR_NUM(op_array->last_var + op_array->T);
+
+		memmove(extra_args, EX_VAR_NUM(first_extra_arg), sizeof(zval) * (EX(num_args) - first_extra_arg));
+	}
+
+	do {
+		/* Initialize CV variables (skip arguments) */
+		int num_args = MIN(op_array->num_args, EX(num_args));
+
+		if (EXPECTED(num_args < op_array->last_var)) {
+			zval *var = EX_VAR_NUM(num_args);
+			zval *end = EX_VAR_NUM(op_array->last_var);
+
+			do {
+				ZVAL_UNDEF(var);
+				var++;
+			} while (var != end);
+		}
+	} while (0);
+
+	if (op_array->this_var != -1 && Z_OBJ(EG(This))) {
+		ZVAL_OBJ(EX_VAR(op_array->this_var), Z_OBJ(EG(This)));
+		Z_ADDREF(EG(This));
+	}
+
+	if (!op_array->run_time_cache && op_array->last_cache_slot) {
+		if (op_array->function_name) {
+			op_array->run_time_cache = zend_arena_calloc(&CG(arena), op_array->last_cache_slot, sizeof(void*));
+		} else {
+			op_array->run_time_cache = ecalloc(op_array->last_cache_slot, sizeof(void*));
+		}
+	}
+	EX(run_time_cache) = op_array->run_time_cache;
+
+	EG(current_execute_data) = execute_data;
+}
+
+static zend_always_inline void i_init_code_execute_data(zend_execute_data *execute_data, zend_op_array *op_array, zval *return_value, vm_frame_kind frame_kind TSRMLS_DC) /* {{{ */
+{
+	ZEND_ASSERT(EX(func) == (zend_function*)op_array);
+	ZEND_ASSERT(EX(object) == Z_OBJ(EG(This)));
+
+	EX(return_value) = return_value;
+	EX(frame_kind) = frame_kind;
+	ZVAL_UNDEF(&EX(old_error_reporting));
+	EX(delayed_exception) = NULL;
+	EX(call) = NULL;
+
+	EX(opline) = UNEXPECTED((op_array->fn_flags & ZEND_ACC_INTERACTIVE) != 0) && EG(start_op) ? EG(start_op) : op_array->opcodes;
+	EX(scope) = EG(scope);
+
+	zend_attach_symbol_table(execute_data);
+
+	if (!op_array->run_time_cache && op_array->last_cache_slot) {
+		if (op_array->function_name) {
+			op_array->run_time_cache = zend_arena_calloc(&CG(arena), op_array->last_cache_slot, sizeof(void*));
+		} else {
+			op_array->run_time_cache = ecalloc(op_array->last_cache_slot, sizeof(void*));
+		}
+	}
+	EX(run_time_cache) = op_array->run_time_cache;
+
+	EG(current_execute_data) = execute_data;
+}
+
 static zend_always_inline void i_init_execute_data(zend_execute_data *execute_data, zend_op_array *op_array, zval *return_value, vm_frame_kind frame_kind TSRMLS_DC) /* {{{ */
 {
 	ZEND_ASSERT(EX(func) == (zend_function*)op_array);
@@ -1556,7 +1643,6 @@ static zend_always_inline void i_init_execute_data(zend_execute_data *execute_da
 
 	EX(opline) = UNEXPECTED((op_array->fn_flags & ZEND_ACC_INTERACTIVE) != 0) && EG(start_op) ? EG(start_op) : op_array->opcodes;
 	EX(scope) = EG(scope);
-	EX(symbol_table) = EG(active_symbol_table);
 
 	if (UNEXPECTED(EX(symbol_table) != NULL)) {
 		zend_attach_symbol_table(execute_data);
diff --git a/Zend/zend_execute_API.c b/Zend/zend_execute_API.c
index d5bc4c5cf0a..6730bacf401 100644
--- a/Zend/zend_execute_API.c
+++ b/Zend/zend_execute_API.c
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ void init_executor(TSRMLS_D) /* {{{ */
 	zend_hash_init(&EG(symbol_table).ht, 64, NULL, ZVAL_PTR_DTOR, 0);
 	GC_REFCOUNT(&EG(symbol_table)) = 1;
 	GC_TYPE_INFO(&EG(symbol_table)) = IS_ARRAY;
-	EG(active_symbol_table) = &EG(symbol_table);
+	EG(valid_symbol_table) = 1;
 
 	zend_llist_apply(&zend_extensions, (llist_apply_func_t) zend_extension_activator TSRMLS_CC);
 
@@ -266,6 +266,7 @@ void shutdown_executor(TSRMLS_D) /* {{{ */
 		}
 		zend_hash_graceful_reverse_destroy(&EG(symbol_table).ht);
 	} zend_end_try();
+	EG(valid_symbol_table) = 0;
 
 	zend_try {
 		zval *zeh;
@@ -659,7 +660,6 @@ int call_user_function_ex(HashTable *function_table, zval *object, zval *functio
 int zend_call_function(zend_fcall_info *fci, zend_fcall_info_cache *fci_cache TSRMLS_DC) /* {{{ */
 {
 	zend_uint i;
-	zend_array *calling_symbol_table;
 	zend_class_entry *calling_scope = NULL;
 	zend_execute_data *call, dummy_execute_data;
 	zend_fcall_info_cache fci_cache_local;
@@ -847,24 +847,13 @@ int zend_call_function(zend_fcall_info *fci, zend_fcall_info_cache *fci_cache TS
 	EG(current_execute_data)->call = call;
 
 	if (func->type == ZEND_USER_FUNCTION) {
-		calling_symbol_table = EG(active_symbol_table);
 		EG(scope) = func->common.scope;
-		if (fci->symbol_table) {
-			EG(active_symbol_table) = fci->symbol_table;
-		} else {
-			EG(active_symbol_table) = NULL;
-		}
-
+		call->symbol_table = fci->symbol_table;
 		if (EXPECTED((func->op_array.fn_flags & ZEND_ACC_GENERATOR) == 0)) {
 			zend_execute(&func->op_array, fci->retval TSRMLS_CC);
 		} else {
 			zend_generator_create_zval(&func->op_array, fci->retval TSRMLS_CC);
 		}
-
-		if (!fci->symbol_table && EG(active_symbol_table)) {
-			zend_clean_and_cache_symbol_table(EG(active_symbol_table) TSRMLS_CC);
-		}
-		EG(active_symbol_table) = calling_symbol_table;
 	} else if (func->type == ZEND_INTERNAL_FUNCTION) {
 		int call_via_handler = (func->common.fn_flags & ZEND_ACC_CALL_VIA_HANDLER) != 0;
 		ZVAL_NULL(fci->retval);
@@ -1104,10 +1093,7 @@ ZEND_API int zend_eval_stringl(char *str, int str_len, zval *retval_ptr, char *s
 		zval local_retval;
 		int orig_interactive = CG(interactive);
 
-		EG(no_extensions)=1;
-		if (!EG(active_symbol_table)) {
-			zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
-		}
+		EG(no_extensions)=1;		
 		CG(interactive) = 0;
 
 		zend_try {
@@ -1115,6 +1101,7 @@ ZEND_API int zend_eval_stringl(char *str, int str_len, zval *retval_ptr, char *s
 			if (EG(current_execute_data)) {
 				EG(current_execute_data)->call = zend_vm_stack_push_call_frame(
 					(zend_function*)new_op_array, 0, 0, EG(current_execute_data)->called_scope, Z_OBJ(EG(This)), EG(current_execute_data)->call TSRMLS_CC);
+				EG(current_execute_data)->call->symbol_table = zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
 			}
 			zend_execute(new_op_array, &local_retval TSRMLS_CC);
 		} zend_catch {
@@ -1607,45 +1594,42 @@ ZEND_API int zend_delete_global_variable(zend_string *name TSRMLS_DC) /* {{{ */
 }
 /* }}} */
 
-ZEND_API void zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_D) /* {{{ */
+ZEND_API zend_array *zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_D) /* {{{ */
 {
 	zend_uint i;
 	zend_execute_data *ex;
+	zend_array *symbol_table;
 
-	if (!EG(active_symbol_table)) {
-
-		/* Search for last called user function */
-		ex = EG(current_execute_data);
-		while (ex && (!ex->func || !ZEND_USER_CODE(ex->func->common.type))) {
-			ex = ex->prev_execute_data;
-		}
-		if (!ex) {
-			return;
-		}
-		if (ex->symbol_table) {
-			EG(active_symbol_table) = ex->symbol_table;
-			return;
-		}
-
-		if (EG(symtable_cache_ptr)>=EG(symtable_cache)) {
-			/*printf("Cache hit!  Reusing %x\n", symtable_cache[symtable_cache_ptr]);*/
-			EG(active_symbol_table) = *(EG(symtable_cache_ptr)--);
-		} else {
-			EG(active_symbol_table) = emalloc(sizeof(zend_array));
-			GC_REFCOUNT(EG(active_symbol_table)) = 0;
-			GC_TYPE_INFO(EG(active_symbol_table)) = IS_ARRAY;
-			zend_hash_init(&EG(active_symbol_table)->ht, ex->func->op_array.last_var, NULL, ZVAL_PTR_DTOR, 0);
-			/*printf("Cache miss!  Initialized %x\n", EG(active_symbol_table));*/
-		}
-		ex->symbol_table = EG(active_symbol_table);
-		for (i = 0; i < ex->func->op_array.last_var; i++) {
-			zval zv;
-
-			ZVAL_INDIRECT(&zv, EX_VAR_NUM_2(ex, i));
-			zend_hash_add_new(&EG(active_symbol_table)->ht,
-				ex->func->op_array.vars[i], &zv);
-		}
+	/* Search for last called user function */
+	ex = EG(current_execute_data);
+	while (ex && (!ex->func || !ZEND_USER_CODE(ex->func->common.type))) {
+		ex = ex->prev_execute_data;
 	}
+	if (!ex) {
+		return NULL;
+	}
+	if (ex->symbol_table) {
+		return ex->symbol_table;
+	}
+
+	if (EG(symtable_cache_ptr) >= EG(symtable_cache)) {
+		/*printf("Cache hit!  Reusing %x\n", symtable_cache[symtable_cache_ptr]);*/
+		symbol_table = ex->symbol_table = *(EG(symtable_cache_ptr)--);
+	} else {
+		symbol_table = ex->symbol_table = emalloc(sizeof(zend_array));
+		GC_REFCOUNT(symbol_table) = 0;
+		GC_TYPE_INFO(symbol_table) = IS_ARRAY;
+		zend_hash_init(&symbol_table->ht, ex->func->op_array.last_var, NULL, ZVAL_PTR_DTOR, 0);
+		/*printf("Cache miss!  Initialized %x\n", EG(active_symbol_table));*/
+	}
+	for (i = 0; i < ex->func->op_array.last_var; i++) {
+		zval zv;
+
+		ZVAL_INDIRECT(&zv, EX_VAR_NUM_2(ex, i));
+		zend_hash_add_new(&symbol_table->ht,
+			ex->func->op_array.vars[i], &zv);
+	}
+	return symbol_table;
 }
 /* }}} */
 
@@ -1700,18 +1684,18 @@ ZEND_API void zend_detach_symbol_table(zend_execute_data *execute_data) /* {{{ *
 
 ZEND_API int zend_set_local_var(zend_string *name, zval *value, int force TSRMLS_DC) /* {{{ */
 {
-	if (!EG(active_symbol_table)) {
-		int i;
-		zend_execute_data *execute_data = EG(current_execute_data);
-		zend_op_array *op_array;
-		zend_ulong h = STR_HASH_VAL(name);
+	zend_execute_data *execute_data = EG(current_execute_data);
 
-		while (execute_data && (!execute_data->func || !ZEND_USER_CODE(execute_data->func->common.type))) {
-			execute_data = execute_data->prev_execute_data;
-		}
+	while (execute_data && (!execute_data->func || !ZEND_USER_CODE(execute_data->func->common.type))) {
+		execute_data = execute_data->prev_execute_data;
+	}
+
+	if (execute_data) {
+		if (!execute_data->symbol_table) {
+			zend_ulong h = STR_HASH_VAL(name);
+			zend_op_array *op_array = &execute_data->func->op_array;
+			int i;
 
-		if (execute_data && execute_data->func) {
-			op_array = &execute_data->func->op_array;
 			for (i = 0; i < op_array->last_var; i++) {
 				if (op_array->vars[i]->h == h &&
 				    op_array->vars[i]->len == name->len &&
@@ -1720,36 +1704,34 @@ ZEND_API int zend_set_local_var(zend_string *name, zval *value, int force TSRMLS
 					return SUCCESS;
 				}
 			}
-		}
-		if (force) {
-			zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
-			if (EG(active_symbol_table)) {
-				zend_hash_update(&EG(active_symbol_table)->ht, name, value);
+			if (force) {
+				zend_array *symbol_table = zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
+				if (symbol_table) {
+					return zend_hash_update(&symbol_table->ht, name, value) ? SUCCESS : FAILURE;;
+				}
 			}
 		} else {
-			return FAILURE;
+			return (zend_hash_update_ind(&execute_data->symbol_table->ht, name, value) != NULL) ? SUCCESS : FAILURE;
 		}
-	} else {
-		return (zend_hash_update_ind(&EG(active_symbol_table)->ht, name, value) != NULL) ? SUCCESS : FAILURE;
 	}
-	return SUCCESS;
+	return FAILURE;
 }
 /* }}} */
 
 ZEND_API int zend_set_local_var_str(const char *name, int len, zval *value, int force TSRMLS_DC) /* {{{ */
 {
-	if (!EG(active_symbol_table)) {
-		int i;
-		zend_execute_data *execute_data = EG(current_execute_data);
-		zend_op_array *op_array;
-		zend_ulong h = zend_hash_func(name, len);
+	zend_execute_data *execute_data = EG(current_execute_data);
 
-		while (execute_data && (!execute_data->func || !ZEND_USER_CODE(execute_data->func->common.type))) {
-			execute_data = execute_data->prev_execute_data;
-		}
+	while (execute_data && (!execute_data->func || !ZEND_USER_CODE(execute_data->func->common.type))) {
+		execute_data = execute_data->prev_execute_data;
+	}
+
+	if (execute_data) {
+		if (!execute_data->symbol_table) {
+			zend_ulong h = zend_hash_func(name, len);
+			zend_op_array *op_array = &execute_data->func->op_array;
+			int i;
 
-		if (execute_data && execute_data->func) {
-			op_array = &execute_data->func->op_array;
 			for (i = 0; i < op_array->last_var; i++) {
 				if (op_array->vars[i]->h == h &&
 				    op_array->vars[i]->len == len &&
@@ -1758,19 +1740,18 @@ ZEND_API int zend_set_local_var_str(const char *name, int len, zval *value, int
 					return SUCCESS;
 				}
 			}
-		}
-		if (force) {
-			zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
-			if (EG(active_symbol_table)) {
-				zend_hash_str_update(&EG(active_symbol_table)->ht, name, len, value);
+
+			if (force) {
+				zend_array *symbol_table = zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
+				if (symbol_table) {
+					return zend_hash_str_update(&symbol_table->ht, name, len, value) ? SUCCESS : FAILURE;;
+				}
 			}
 		} else {
-			return FAILURE;
+			return (zend_hash_str_update_ind(&execute_data->symbol_table->ht, name, len, value) != NULL) ? SUCCESS : FAILURE;
 		}
-	} else {
-		return (zend_hash_str_update_ind(&EG(active_symbol_table)->ht, name, len, value) != NULL) ? SUCCESS : FAILURE;
 	}
-	return SUCCESS;
+	return FAILURE;
 }
 /* }}} */
 
diff --git a/Zend/zend_generators.c b/Zend/zend_generators.c
index c5296467304..427c8bdb11c 100644
--- a/Zend/zend_generators.c
+++ b/Zend/zend_generators.c
@@ -224,13 +224,11 @@ static int copy_closure_static_var(zval *var TSRMLS_DC, int num_args, va_list ar
 }
 /* }}} */
 
-/* Requires globals EG(scope), EG(current_scope), EG(This),
- * EG(active_symbol_table) and EG(current_execute_data). */
+/* Requires globals EG(scope), EG(This) and EG(current_execute_data). */
 ZEND_API void zend_generator_create_zval(zend_op_array *op_array, zval *return_value TSRMLS_DC) /* {{{ */
 {
 	zend_generator *generator;
 	zend_execute_data *current_execute_data;
-	zend_array *current_symbol_table;
 	zend_execute_data *execute_data;
 	zend_vm_stack current_stack = EG(argument_stack);
 
@@ -259,13 +257,9 @@ ZEND_API void zend_generator_create_zval(zend_op_array *op_array, zval *return_v
 	}
 	
 	/* Create new execution context. We have to back up and restore
-	 * EG(current_execute_data) and EG(active_symbol_table)
-	 * here because the function modifies or uses them  */
+	 * EG(current_execute_data) here. */
 	current_execute_data = EG(current_execute_data);
-	current_symbol_table = EG(active_symbol_table);
-	EG(active_symbol_table) = NULL;
 	execute_data = zend_create_generator_execute_data(op_array, return_value TSRMLS_CC);
-	EG(active_symbol_table) = current_symbol_table;
 	EG(current_execute_data) = current_execute_data;
 
 	object_init_ex(return_value, zend_ce_generator);
@@ -311,7 +305,6 @@ ZEND_API void zend_generator_resume(zend_generator *generator TSRMLS_DC) /* {{{
 	{
 		/* Backup executor globals */
 		zend_execute_data *original_execute_data = EG(current_execute_data);
-		zend_array *original_active_symbol_table = EG(active_symbol_table);
 		zend_object *original_This;
 		zend_class_entry *original_scope = EG(scope);
 		zend_vm_stack original_stack = EG(argument_stack);
@@ -320,7 +313,6 @@ ZEND_API void zend_generator_resume(zend_generator *generator TSRMLS_DC) /* {{{
 
 		/* Set executor globals */
 		EG(current_execute_data) = generator->execute_data;
-		EG(active_symbol_table) = generator->execute_data->symbol_table;
 		Z_OBJ(EG(This)) = generator->execute_data->object;
 		EG(scope) = generator->execute_data->scope;
 		EG(argument_stack) = generator->stack;
@@ -348,7 +340,6 @@ ZEND_API void zend_generator_resume(zend_generator *generator TSRMLS_DC) /* {{{
 
 		/* Restore executor globals */
 		EG(current_execute_data) = original_execute_data;
-		EG(active_symbol_table) = original_active_symbol_table;
 		Z_OBJ(EG(This)) = original_This;
 		EG(scope) = original_scope;
 		EG(argument_stack) = original_stack;
diff --git a/Zend/zend_globals.h b/Zend/zend_globals.h
index 2bfd933944a..082e733844e 100644
--- a/Zend/zend_globals.h
+++ b/Zend/zend_globals.h
@@ -170,7 +170,6 @@ struct _zend_executor_globals {
 	zend_array **symtable_cache_limit;
 	zend_array **symtable_cache_ptr;
 
-	zend_array *active_symbol_table;
 	zend_array symbol_table;		/* main symbol table */
 
 	HashTable included_files;	/* files already included */
@@ -240,7 +239,8 @@ struct _zend_executor_globals {
 
 	zend_property_info std_property_info;
 
-	zend_bool active; 
+	zend_bool active;
+	zend_bool valid_symbol_table;
 
 	zend_op *start_op;
 
diff --git a/Zend/zend_variables.c b/Zend/zend_variables.c
index 2031b017eb4..b512c45672f 100644
--- a/Zend/zend_variables.c
+++ b/Zend/zend_variables.c
@@ -305,6 +305,7 @@ ZEND_API void _zval_internal_ptr_dtor_wrapper(zval *zval_ptr)
 
 ZEND_API int zval_copy_static_var(zval *p TSRMLS_DC, int num_args, va_list args, zend_hash_key *key) /* {{{ */
 {
+	zend_array *symbol_table;
 	HashTable *target = va_arg(args, HashTable*);
 	zend_bool is_ref;
 	zval tmp;
@@ -312,16 +313,14 @@ ZEND_API int zval_copy_static_var(zval *p TSRMLS_DC, int num_args, va_list args,
 	if (Z_CONST_FLAGS_P(p) & (IS_LEXICAL_VAR|IS_LEXICAL_REF)) {
 		is_ref = Z_CONST_FLAGS_P(p) & IS_LEXICAL_REF;
     
-		if (!EG(active_symbol_table)) {
-			zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
-		}
-		p = zend_hash_find(&EG(active_symbol_table)->ht, key->key);
+		symbol_table = zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
+		p = zend_hash_find(&symbol_table->ht, key->key);
 		if (!p) {
 			p = &tmp;
 			ZVAL_NULL(&tmp);
 			if (is_ref) {
 				ZVAL_NEW_REF(&tmp, &tmp);
-				zend_hash_add_new(&EG(active_symbol_table)->ht, key->key, &tmp);
+				zend_hash_add_new(&symbol_table->ht, key->key, &tmp);
 				Z_ADDREF_P(p);
 			} else {
 				zend_error(E_NOTICE,"Undefined variable: %s", key->key->val);
diff --git a/Zend/zend_vm_def.h b/Zend/zend_vm_def.h
index b865c5aa4d4..370bebe1f1b 100644
--- a/Zend/zend_vm_def.h
+++ b/Zend/zend_vm_def.h
@@ -1789,7 +1789,6 @@ ZEND_VM_HELPER(zend_leave_helper, ANY, ANY)
 
 		execute_data = EG(current_execute_data);
 		EX(call) = prev_nested_call;
-		EG(active_symbol_table) = EX(symbol_table);
 
 		if (Z_OBJ(EG(This))) {
 			if (UNEXPECTED(EG(exception) != NULL) && (EX(opline)->op1.num & ZEND_CALL_CTOR)) {
@@ -1843,6 +1842,9 @@ ZEND_VM_HELPER(zend_leave_helper, ANY, ANY)
 	} else {
 		if (frame_kind == VM_FRAME_TOP_FUNCTION) {
 			i_free_compiled_variables(execute_data TSRMLS_CC);
+			if (UNEXPECTED(EX(symbol_table) != NULL)) {
+				zend_clean_and_cache_symbol_table(EX(symbol_table) TSRMLS_CC);
+			}
 			zend_vm_stack_free_extra_args(execute_data TSRMLS_CC);
 		} else /* if (frame_kind == VM_FRAME_TOP_CODE) */ {
 			zend_array *symbol_table = EX(symbol_table);
@@ -2681,7 +2683,7 @@ ZEND_VM_HANDLER(60, ZEND_DO_FCALL, ANY, ANY)
 
 		Z_OBJ(EG(This)) = call->object;
 		EG(scope) = fbc->common.scope;
-		EG(active_symbol_table) = NULL;
+		call->symbol_table = NULL;
 		if (RETURN_VALUE_USED(opline)) {
 			return_value = EX_VAR(opline->result.var);
 
@@ -2698,7 +2700,7 @@ ZEND_VM_HANDLER(60, ZEND_DO_FCALL, ANY, ANY)
 			zend_vm_stack_free_call_frame(call TSRMLS_CC);
 		} else {
 			call->prev_execute_data = execute_data;
-			i_init_execute_data(call, &fbc->op_array, return_value, VM_FRAME_NESTED_FUNCTION TSRMLS_CC);
+			i_init_func_execute_data(call, &fbc->op_array, return_value, VM_FRAME_NESTED_FUNCTION TSRMLS_CC);
 
 			if (EXPECTED(zend_execute_ex == execute_ex)) {
 				ZEND_VM_ENTER();
@@ -2706,11 +2708,6 @@ ZEND_VM_HANDLER(60, ZEND_DO_FCALL, ANY, ANY)
 				execute_ex(call TSRMLS_CC);
 			}
 		}
-
-		if (UNEXPECTED(EG(active_symbol_table) != NULL)) {
-			zend_clean_and_cache_symbol_table(EG(active_symbol_table) TSRMLS_CC);
-		}
-		EG(active_symbol_table) = EX(symbol_table);
 	} else { /* ZEND_OVERLOADED_FUNCTION */
 		Z_OBJ(EG(This)) = call->object;
 //???		EG(scope) = NULL;
@@ -3985,12 +3982,14 @@ ZEND_VM_HANDLER(73, ZEND_INCLUDE_OR_EVAL, CONST|TMP|VAR|CV, ANY)
 		EX(call) = zend_vm_stack_push_call_frame(
 			(zend_function*)new_op_array, 0, 0, EX(called_scope), Z_OBJ(EG(This)), EX(call) TSRMLS_CC);
 
-		if (!EX(symbol_table)) {
-			zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
+		if (EX(symbol_table)) {
+			EX(call)->symbol_table = EX(symbol_table);
+		} else {
+			EX(call)->symbol_table = zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
 		}
 
 		EX(call)->prev_execute_data = execute_data;
-	    i_init_execute_data(EX(call), new_op_array, return_value, VM_FRAME_NESTED_CODE TSRMLS_CC);
+	    i_init_code_execute_data(EX(call), new_op_array, return_value, VM_FRAME_NESTED_CODE TSRMLS_CC);
 		if (EXPECTED(zend_execute_ex == execute_ex)) {
 			ZEND_VM_ENTER();
 		} else {
diff --git a/Zend/zend_vm_execute.h b/Zend/zend_vm_execute.h
index 9c178933a64..83cfc759493 100644
--- a/Zend/zend_vm_execute.h
+++ b/Zend/zend_vm_execute.h
@@ -381,9 +381,10 @@ ZEND_API void zend_execute(zend_op_array *op_array, zval *return_value TSRMLS_DC
 	} else {
 		execute_data = zend_vm_stack_push_call_frame(
 			(zend_function*)op_array, 0, 0, EG(current_execute_data) ? EG(current_execute_data)->called_scope : NULL, Z_OBJ(EG(This)), NULL TSRMLS_CC);
+		execute_data->symbol_table = &EG(symbol_table);
 	}
 	EX(prev_execute_data) = EG(current_execute_data);
-	i_init_execute_data(execute_data, op_array, return_value, EG(active_symbol_table) ? VM_FRAME_TOP_CODE : VM_FRAME_TOP_FUNCTION TSRMLS_CC);
+	i_init_execute_data(execute_data, op_array, return_value, (execute_data->symbol_table) ? VM_FRAME_TOP_CODE : VM_FRAME_TOP_FUNCTION TSRMLS_CC);
 	zend_execute_ex(execute_data TSRMLS_CC);
 }
 
@@ -407,7 +408,6 @@ static int ZEND_FASTCALL zend_leave_helper_SPEC(ZEND_OPCODE_HANDLER_ARGS)
 
 		execute_data = EG(current_execute_data);
 		EX(call) = prev_nested_call;
-		EG(active_symbol_table) = EX(symbol_table);
 
 		if (Z_OBJ(EG(This))) {
 			if (UNEXPECTED(EG(exception) != NULL) && (EX(opline)->op1.num & ZEND_CALL_CTOR)) {
@@ -461,6 +461,9 @@ static int ZEND_FASTCALL zend_leave_helper_SPEC(ZEND_OPCODE_HANDLER_ARGS)
 	} else {
 		if (frame_kind == VM_FRAME_TOP_FUNCTION) {
 			i_free_compiled_variables(execute_data TSRMLS_CC);
+			if (UNEXPECTED(EX(symbol_table) != NULL)) {
+				zend_clean_and_cache_symbol_table(EX(symbol_table) TSRMLS_CC);
+			}
 			zend_vm_stack_free_extra_args(execute_data TSRMLS_CC);
 		} else /* if (frame_kind == VM_FRAME_TOP_CODE) */ {
 			zend_array *symbol_table = EX(symbol_table);
@@ -628,7 +631,7 @@ static int ZEND_FASTCALL  ZEND_DO_FCALL_SPEC_HANDLER(ZEND_OPCODE_HANDLER_ARGS)
 
 		Z_OBJ(EG(This)) = call->object;
 		EG(scope) = fbc->common.scope;
-		EG(active_symbol_table) = NULL;
+		call->symbol_table = NULL;
 		if (RETURN_VALUE_USED(opline)) {
 			return_value = EX_VAR(opline->result.var);
 
@@ -645,7 +648,7 @@ static int ZEND_FASTCALL  ZEND_DO_FCALL_SPEC_HANDLER(ZEND_OPCODE_HANDLER_ARGS)
 			zend_vm_stack_free_call_frame(call TSRMLS_CC);
 		} else {
 			call->prev_execute_data = execute_data;
-			i_init_execute_data(call, &fbc->op_array, return_value, VM_FRAME_NESTED_FUNCTION TSRMLS_CC);
+			i_init_func_execute_data(call, &fbc->op_array, return_value, VM_FRAME_NESTED_FUNCTION TSRMLS_CC);
 
 			if (EXPECTED(zend_execute_ex == execute_ex)) {
 				ZEND_VM_ENTER();
@@ -653,11 +656,6 @@ static int ZEND_FASTCALL  ZEND_DO_FCALL_SPEC_HANDLER(ZEND_OPCODE_HANDLER_ARGS)
 				execute_ex(call TSRMLS_CC);
 			}
 		}
-
-		if (UNEXPECTED(EG(active_symbol_table) != NULL)) {
-			zend_clean_and_cache_symbol_table(EG(active_symbol_table) TSRMLS_CC);
-		}
-		EG(active_symbol_table) = EX(symbol_table);
 	} else { /* ZEND_OVERLOADED_FUNCTION */
 		Z_OBJ(EG(This)) = call->object;
 //???		EG(scope) = NULL;
@@ -2920,12 +2918,14 @@ static int ZEND_FASTCALL  ZEND_INCLUDE_OR_EVAL_SPEC_CONST_HANDLER(ZEND_OPCODE_HA
 		EX(call) = zend_vm_stack_push_call_frame(
 			(zend_function*)new_op_array, 0, 0, EX(called_scope), Z_OBJ(EG(This)), EX(call) TSRMLS_CC);
 
-		if (!EX(symbol_table)) {
-			zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
+		if (EX(symbol_table)) {
+			EX(call)->symbol_table = EX(symbol_table);
+		} else {
+			EX(call)->symbol_table = zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
 		}
 
 		EX(call)->prev_execute_data = execute_data;
-	    i_init_execute_data(EX(call), new_op_array, return_value, VM_FRAME_NESTED_CODE TSRMLS_CC);
+	    i_init_code_execute_data(EX(call), new_op_array, return_value, VM_FRAME_NESTED_CODE TSRMLS_CC);
 		if (EXPECTED(zend_execute_ex == execute_ex)) {
 			ZEND_VM_ENTER();
 		} else {
@@ -8111,12 +8111,14 @@ static int ZEND_FASTCALL  ZEND_INCLUDE_OR_EVAL_SPEC_TMP_HANDLER(ZEND_OPCODE_HAND
 		EX(call) = zend_vm_stack_push_call_frame(
 			(zend_function*)new_op_array, 0, 0, EX(called_scope), Z_OBJ(EG(This)), EX(call) TSRMLS_CC);
 
-		if (!EX(symbol_table)) {
-			zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
+		if (EX(symbol_table)) {
+			EX(call)->symbol_table = EX(symbol_table);
+		} else {
+			EX(call)->symbol_table = zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
 		}
 
 		EX(call)->prev_execute_data = execute_data;
-	    i_init_execute_data(EX(call), new_op_array, return_value, VM_FRAME_NESTED_CODE TSRMLS_CC);
+	    i_init_code_execute_data(EX(call), new_op_array, return_value, VM_FRAME_NESTED_CODE TSRMLS_CC);
 		if (EXPECTED(zend_execute_ex == execute_ex)) {
 			ZEND_VM_ENTER();
 		} else {
@@ -13369,12 +13371,14 @@ static int ZEND_FASTCALL  ZEND_INCLUDE_OR_EVAL_SPEC_VAR_HANDLER(ZEND_OPCODE_HAND
 		EX(call) = zend_vm_stack_push_call_frame(
 			(zend_function*)new_op_array, 0, 0, EX(called_scope), Z_OBJ(EG(This)), EX(call) TSRMLS_CC);
 
-		if (!EX(symbol_table)) {
-			zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
+		if (EX(symbol_table)) {
+			EX(call)->symbol_table = EX(symbol_table);
+		} else {
+			EX(call)->symbol_table = zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
 		}
 
 		EX(call)->prev_execute_data = execute_data;
-	    i_init_execute_data(EX(call), new_op_array, return_value, VM_FRAME_NESTED_CODE TSRMLS_CC);
+	    i_init_code_execute_data(EX(call), new_op_array, return_value, VM_FRAME_NESTED_CODE TSRMLS_CC);
 		if (EXPECTED(zend_execute_ex == execute_ex)) {
 			ZEND_VM_ENTER();
 		} else {
@@ -30499,12 +30503,14 @@ static int ZEND_FASTCALL  ZEND_INCLUDE_OR_EVAL_SPEC_CV_HANDLER(ZEND_OPCODE_HANDL
 		EX(call) = zend_vm_stack_push_call_frame(
 			(zend_function*)new_op_array, 0, 0, EX(called_scope), Z_OBJ(EG(This)), EX(call) TSRMLS_CC);
 
-		if (!EX(symbol_table)) {
-			zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
+		if (EX(symbol_table)) {
+			EX(call)->symbol_table = EX(symbol_table);
+		} else {
+			EX(call)->symbol_table = zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
 		}
 
 		EX(call)->prev_execute_data = execute_data;
-	    i_init_execute_data(EX(call), new_op_array, return_value, VM_FRAME_NESTED_CODE TSRMLS_CC);
+	    i_init_code_execute_data(EX(call), new_op_array, return_value, VM_FRAME_NESTED_CODE TSRMLS_CC);
 		if (EXPECTED(zend_execute_ex == execute_ex)) {
 			ZEND_VM_ENTER();
 		} else {
diff --git a/Zend/zend_vm_execute.skl b/Zend/zend_vm_execute.skl
index ae5bac4db37..51cede98341 100644
--- a/Zend/zend_vm_execute.skl
+++ b/Zend/zend_vm_execute.skl
@@ -40,9 +40,10 @@ ZEND_API void zend_{%EXECUTOR_NAME%}(zend_op_array *op_array, zval *return_value
 	} else {
 		execute_data = zend_vm_stack_push_call_frame(
 			(zend_function*)op_array, 0, 0, EG(current_execute_data) ? EG(current_execute_data)->called_scope : NULL, Z_OBJ(EG(This)), NULL TSRMLS_CC);
+		execute_data->symbol_table = &EG(symbol_table);
 	}
 	EX(prev_execute_data) = EG(current_execute_data);
-	i_init_execute_data(execute_data, op_array, return_value, EG(active_symbol_table) ? VM_FRAME_TOP_CODE : VM_FRAME_TOP_FUNCTION TSRMLS_CC);
+	i_init_execute_data(execute_data, op_array, return_value, (execute_data->symbol_table) ? VM_FRAME_TOP_CODE : VM_FRAME_TOP_FUNCTION TSRMLS_CC);
 	zend_{%EXECUTOR_NAME%}_ex(execute_data TSRMLS_CC);
 }
 
diff --git a/ext/mbstring/mbstring.c b/ext/mbstring/mbstring.c
index ebea66323ca..df264e02af8 100644
--- a/ext/mbstring/mbstring.c
+++ b/ext/mbstring/mbstring.c
@@ -2084,10 +2084,9 @@ PHP_FUNCTION(mb_parse_str)
 		detected = _php_mb_encoding_handler_ex(&info, track_vars_array, encstr TSRMLS_CC);
 	} else {
 		zval tmp;
-		if (!EG(active_symbol_table)) {
-			zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
-		}
-		ZVAL_ARR(&tmp, EG(active_symbol_table));
+		zend_array *symbol_table = zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
+
+		ZVAL_ARR(&tmp, symbol_table);
 		detected = _php_mb_encoding_handler_ex(&info, &tmp, encstr TSRMLS_CC);		
 	}
 
diff --git a/ext/phar/phar_object.c b/ext/phar/phar_object.c
index aa63f8f338c..684f56ea4ce 100644
--- a/ext/phar/phar_object.c
+++ b/ext/phar/phar_object.c
@@ -288,6 +288,7 @@ static int phar_file_action(phar_archive_data *phar, phar_entry_info *info, char
 					if (EG(current_execute_data)) {
 						EG(current_execute_data)->call = zend_vm_stack_push_call_frame(
 							(zend_function*)new_op_array, 0, 0, EG(current_execute_data)->called_scope, Z_OBJ(EG(This)), EG(current_execute_data)->call TSRMLS_CC);
+						EG(current_execute_data)->call->symbol_table = zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
 					}
 					zend_execute(new_op_array, &result TSRMLS_CC);
 					if (PHAR_G(cwd)) {
diff --git a/ext/readline/readline_cli.c b/ext/readline/readline_cli.c
index c94c2450716..84d27ca0465 100644
--- a/ext/readline/readline_cli.c
+++ b/ext/readline/readline_cli.c
@@ -432,8 +432,9 @@ static char *cli_completion_generator_ht(const char *text, int textlen, int *sta
 static char *cli_completion_generator_var(const char *text, int textlen, int *state TSRMLS_DC) /* {{{ */
 {
 	char *retval, *tmp;
+	zend_array *symbol_table = zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
 
-	tmp = retval = cli_completion_generator_ht(text + 1, textlen - 1, state, EG(active_symbol_table) ? &EG(active_symbol_table)->ht : NULL, NULL TSRMLS_CC);
+	tmp = retval = cli_completion_generator_ht(text + 1, textlen - 1, state, symbol_table ? &symbol_table->ht : NULL, NULL TSRMLS_CC);
 	if (retval) {
 		retval = malloc(strlen(tmp) + 2);
 		retval[0] = '$';
diff --git a/ext/spl/php_spl.c b/ext/spl/php_spl.c
index 3730adc699f..e5f968e26b5 100644
--- a/ext/spl/php_spl.c
+++ b/ext/spl/php_spl.c
@@ -286,14 +286,11 @@ static int spl_autoload(zend_string *class_name, zend_string *lc_name, const cha
 		}
 		STR_RELEASE(opened_path);
 		if (new_op_array) {
-			if (!EG(active_symbol_table)) {
-				zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
-			}
-
 			ZVAL_UNDEF(&result);
 			if (EG(current_execute_data)) {
 				EG(current_execute_data)->call = zend_vm_stack_push_call_frame(
 					(zend_function*)new_op_array, 0, 0, EG(current_execute_data)->called_scope, Z_OBJ(EG(This)), EG(current_execute_data)->call TSRMLS_CC);
+				EG(current_execute_data)->call->symbol_table = zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
 			}
 			zend_execute(new_op_array, &result TSRMLS_CC);
 	
diff --git a/ext/standard/array.c b/ext/standard/array.c
index e1113a8ed59..06f04aed2cd 100644
--- a/ext/standard/array.c
+++ b/ext/standard/array.c
@@ -1294,6 +1294,7 @@ PHP_FUNCTION(extract)
 	ulong num_key;
 	int var_exists, count = 0;
 	int extract_refs = 0;
+	zend_array *symbol_table;
 
 	if (zend_parse_parameters(ZEND_NUM_ARGS() TSRMLS_CC, "a/|lz/", &var_array, &extract_type, &prefix) == FAILURE) {
 		return;
@@ -1320,9 +1321,7 @@ PHP_FUNCTION(extract)
 		}
 	}
 
-	if (!EG(active_symbol_table)) {
-		zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
-	}
+	symbol_table = zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
 
 	ZEND_HASH_FOREACH_KEY_VAL_IND(Z_ARRVAL_P(var_array), num_key, var_name, entry) {
 		zval final_name;
@@ -1331,7 +1330,7 @@ PHP_FUNCTION(extract)
 		var_exists = 0;
 
 		if (var_name) {
-			var_exists = zend_hash_exists_ind(&EG(active_symbol_table)->ht, var_name);
+			var_exists = zend_hash_exists_ind(&symbol_table->ht, var_name);
 		} else if (extract_type == EXTR_PREFIX_ALL || extract_type == EXTR_PREFIX_INVALID) {
 			zval num;
 
@@ -1401,14 +1400,14 @@ PHP_FUNCTION(extract)
 				ZVAL_MAKE_REF(entry);
 				Z_ADDREF_P(entry);
 
-				if ((orig_var = zend_hash_find(&EG(active_symbol_table)->ht, Z_STR(final_name))) != NULL) {
+				if ((orig_var = zend_hash_find(&symbol_table->ht, Z_STR(final_name))) != NULL) {
 					if (Z_TYPE_P(orig_var) == IS_INDIRECT) {
 						orig_var = Z_INDIRECT_P(orig_var);
 					}
 					zval_ptr_dtor(orig_var);
 					ZVAL_COPY_VALUE(orig_var, entry);
 				} else {
-					zend_hash_update(&EG(active_symbol_table)->ht, Z_STR(final_name), entry);
+					zend_hash_update(&symbol_table->ht, Z_STR(final_name), entry);
 				}
 			} else {
 				if (Z_REFCOUNTED_P(entry)) Z_ADDREF_P(entry);
@@ -1458,14 +1457,13 @@ PHP_FUNCTION(compact)
 {
 	zval *args = NULL;	/* function arguments array */
 	int num_args, i;
+	zend_array *symbol_table;
 
 	if (zend_parse_parameters(ZEND_NUM_ARGS() TSRMLS_CC, "+", &args, &num_args) == FAILURE) {
 		return;
 	}
 
-	if (!EG(active_symbol_table)) {
-		zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
-	}
+	symbol_table = zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
 
 	/* compact() is probably most used with a single array of var_names
 	   or multiple string names, rather than a combination of both.
@@ -1477,7 +1475,7 @@ PHP_FUNCTION(compact)
 	}
 
 	for (i=0; i<ZEND_NUM_ARGS(); i++) {
-		php_compact_var(&EG(active_symbol_table)->ht, return_value, &args[i] TSRMLS_CC);
+		php_compact_var(&symbol_table->ht, return_value, &args[i] TSRMLS_CC);
 	}
 }
 /* }}} */
diff --git a/ext/standard/http_fopen_wrapper.c b/ext/standard/http_fopen_wrapper.c
index 2b103707105..f7d6fc45008 100644
--- a/ext/standard/http_fopen_wrapper.c
+++ b/ext/standard/http_fopen_wrapper.c
@@ -141,6 +141,7 @@ php_stream *php_stream_url_wrap_http_ex(php_stream_wrapper *wrapper,
 	int follow_location = 1;
 	php_stream_filter *transfer_encoding = NULL;
 	int response_code;
+	zend_array *symbol_table;
 
 	tmp_line[0] = '\0';
 
@@ -634,9 +635,7 @@ finish:
 
 	location[0] = '\0';
 
-	if (!EG(active_symbol_table)) {
-		zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
-	}
+	symbol_table = zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
 
 	if (header_init) {
 		zval ztmp;
@@ -644,7 +643,7 @@ finish:
 		zend_set_local_var_str("http_response_header", sizeof("http_response_header")-1, &ztmp, 0 TSRMLS_CC);
 	}
 
-	response_header = zend_hash_str_find_ind(&EG(active_symbol_table)->ht, "http_response_header", sizeof("http_response_header")-1);
+	response_header = zend_hash_str_find_ind(&symbol_table->ht, "http_response_header", sizeof("http_response_header")-1);
 
 	if (!php_stream_eof(stream)) {
 		size_t tmp_line_len;
diff --git a/ext/standard/string.c b/ext/standard/string.c
index 3250241bc6d..ceebf77a702 100644
--- a/ext/standard/string.c
+++ b/ext/standard/string.c
@@ -4221,11 +4221,9 @@ PHP_FUNCTION(parse_str)
 
 	if (arrayArg == NULL) {
 		zval tmp;
+		zend_array *symbol_table = zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
 
-		if (!EG(active_symbol_table)) {
-			zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
-		}
-		ZVAL_ARR(&tmp, EG(active_symbol_table));
+		ZVAL_ARR(&tmp, symbol_table);
 		sapi_module.treat_data(PARSE_STRING, res, &tmp TSRMLS_CC);
 	} else 	{
 		zval ret;
diff --git a/ext/wddx/wddx.c b/ext/wddx/wddx.c
index a87f97fdcfd..0b853f34f23 100644
--- a/ext/wddx/wddx.c
+++ b/ext/wddx/wddx.c
@@ -668,10 +668,8 @@ static void php_wddx_add_var(wddx_packet *packet, zval *name_var)
 	TSRMLS_FETCH();
 
 	if (Z_TYPE_P(name_var) == IS_STRING) {
-		if (!EG(active_symbol_table)) {
-			zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
-		}
-		if ((val = zend_hash_find(&EG(active_symbol_table)->ht, Z_STR_P(name_var))) != NULL) {
+		zend_array *symbol_table = zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
+		if ((val = zend_hash_find(&symbol_table->ht, Z_STR_P(name_var))) != NULL) {
 			if (Z_TYPE_P(val) == IS_INDIRECT) {
 				val = Z_INDIRECT_P(val);
 			}
diff --git a/main/main.c b/main/main.c
index ca25e17113b..e66ec775321 100644
--- a/main/main.c
+++ b/main/main.c
@@ -897,12 +897,16 @@ PHPAPI void php_verror(const char *docref, const char *params, int type, const c
 		efree(docref_buf);
 	}
 
-	if (PG(track_errors) && module_initialized &&
+	if (PG(track_errors) && module_initialized && EG(valid_symbol_table) &&
 			(Z_TYPE(EG(user_error_handler)) == IS_UNDEF || !(EG(user_error_handler_error_reporting) & type))) {
 		zval tmp;
 		ZVAL_STRINGL(&tmp, buffer, buffer_len);
-		if (zend_set_local_var_str("php_errormsg", sizeof("php_errormsg")-1, &tmp, 0 TSRMLS_CC) == FAILURE) {
-			zval_ptr_dtor(&tmp);
+		if (EG(current_execute_data)) {
+			if (zend_set_local_var_str("php_errormsg", sizeof("php_errormsg")-1, &tmp, 0 TSRMLS_CC) == FAILURE) {
+				zval_ptr_dtor(&tmp);
+			}
+		} else {
+			zend_hash_str_update_ind(&EG(symbol_table).ht, "php_errormsg", sizeof("php_errormsg")-1, &tmp);
 		}
 	}
 	if (replace_buffer) {
@@ -1227,16 +1231,16 @@ static void php_error_cb(int type, const char *error_filename, const uint error_
 		return;
 	}
 
-	if (PG(track_errors) && module_initialized) {
-		if (!EG(active_symbol_table)) {
-			zend_rebuild_symbol_table(TSRMLS_C);
-		}
-		if (EG(active_symbol_table)) {
-			zval tmp;
-			ZVAL_STRINGL(&tmp, buffer, buffer_len);
+	if (PG(track_errors) && module_initialized && EG(valid_symbol_table)) {
+		zval tmp;
+
+		ZVAL_STRINGL(&tmp, buffer, buffer_len);
+		if (EG(current_execute_data)) {
 			if (zend_set_local_var_str("php_errormsg", sizeof("php_errormsg")-1, &tmp, 0 TSRMLS_CC) == FAILURE) {
 				zval_ptr_dtor(&tmp);
 			}
+		} else {
+			zend_hash_str_update_ind(&EG(symbol_table).ht, "php_errormsg", sizeof("php_errormsg")-1, &tmp);
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -2125,7 +2129,6 @@ int php_module_startup(sapi_module_struct *sf, zend_module_entry *additional_mod
 #endif
 	EG(bailout) = NULL;
 	EG(error_reporting) = E_ALL & ~E_NOTICE;
-	EG(active_symbol_table) = NULL;
 	PG(header_is_being_sent) = 0;
 	SG(request_info).headers_only = 0;
 	SG(request_info).argv0 = NULL;
diff --git a/main/php_variables.c b/main/php_variables.c
index 30a84822af3..8fa48b28890 100644
--- a/main/php_variables.c
+++ b/main/php_variables.c
@@ -110,8 +110,7 @@ PHPAPI void php_register_variable_ex(char *var_name, zval *val, zval *track_vars
 	}
 
 	/* GLOBALS hijack attempt, reject parameter */
-	if (symtable1 && EG(active_symbol_table) &&
-		symtable1 == &EG(active_symbol_table)->ht &&
+	if (symtable1 == &EG(symbol_table).ht &&
 		var_len == sizeof("GLOBALS")-1 &&
 		!memcmp(var, "GLOBALS", sizeof("GLOBALS")-1)) {
 		zval_dtor(val);