diff --git a/server.rb b/server.rb
index 6680cb0..42deb1e 100755
--- a/server.rb
+++ b/server.rb
@@ -199,25 +199,25 @@ def search(terms)
 end
 
 get '/search/:terms' do
-  halt 429 if true == @searching
+  halt 429 if $searching
   terms = params['terms'].split(" ")
   terms.keep_if {|term| term.length >= 3}
   halt 400 if terms.empty?
-  @searching = true
+  $searching = true
   parts = search(terms)
-  @searching = false
+  $searching = false
   parts.to_json
 end
 
 get '/search?' do
-  halt 429 if true == @searching
+  halt 429 if $searching
   halt 400, "terms needed" unless params['terms']
   terms = params['terms'].split(" ")
   terms.keep_if {|term| term.length >= 3}
   halt 400 if terms.empty?
-  @searching = true
+  $searching = true
   parts = search(terms)
-  @searching = false
+  $searching = false
   parts.to_json
 end