diff --git a/core/modules/user/user.module b/core/modules/user/user.module
index be55248..c60e823 100644
--- a/core/modules/user/user.module
+++ b/core/modules/user/user.module
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ function user_theme() {
       'variables' => array('signature' => NULL),
     ),
     'username' => array(
-      'variables' => array('account' => NULL),
+      'variables' => array('account' => NULL, 'attributes' => array()),
     ),
   );
 }
@@ -739,7 +739,6 @@ function template_preprocess_username(&$variables) {
   }
 
   $variables['extra'] = '';
-  $variables['attributes'] = array();
   if (empty($account->uid)) {
    $variables['uid'] = 0;
    if (theme_get_setting('features.comment_user_verification')) {