diff --git a/prepopulate.module b/prepopulate.module
index af9c21a..693ea56 100644
--- a/prepopulate.module
+++ b/prepopulate.module
@@ -21,14 +21,15 @@ function prepopulate_help($path, $arg) {
 }
 
 /**
- * Implementation of hook_form_alter().
+ * Implements of hook_form_alter().
  */
 function prepopulate_form_alter(&$form, $form_state, $form_id) {
   // Provide for accepting base64 encoded fields.
-  if (isset($_REQUEST['pp'])) {
-    parse_str(base64_decode($_REQUEST['pp']), $_REQUEST);
+  $my_request = $_REQUEST;
+  if (isset($my_request['pp'])) {
+    parse_str(base64_decode($my_request['pp']), $my_request);
   } 
-  if (isset($_REQUEST['edit'])) {
+  if (isset($my_request['edit'])) {
     $form['#after_build'][] = 'prepopulate_after_build';
   }
 }
@@ -37,11 +38,12 @@ function prepopulate_form_alter(&$form, $form_state, $form_id) {
  * An #after_build function to set the values prepopulated in the request.
  */
 function prepopulate_after_build($form, &$form_state) {
-  if (isset($_REQUEST['pp'])) {
-    parse_str(base64_decode($_REQUEST['pp']), $_REQUEST);
+  $my_request = $_REQUEST;
+  if (isset($my_request['pp'])) {
+    parse_str(base64_decode($my_request['pp']), $my_request);
   }
-  if (isset($_REQUEST['edit'])) {
-    $request = (array)$_REQUEST['edit'];
+  if (isset($my_request['edit'])) {
+    $request = (array) $my_request['edit'];
     _prepopulate_request_walk($form, $request);
   }
   return $form;