diff --git a/aol_4/Forms/instant_message.cs b/aol_4/Forms/instant_message.cs
index 9dbe0ab..e0bc104 100644
--- a/aol_4/Forms/instant_message.cs
+++ b/aol_4/Forms/instant_message.cs
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ public partial class instant_message : Win95Theme
         #region public_variables
         string privateLog = "";
         string user = "";
+        FileSystemWatcher watch = null;
         #endregion
 
         #region winform_functions
@@ -268,7 +269,7 @@ private void keepReading()
         {
             try
             {
-                var watch = new FileSystemWatcher();
+                watch = new FileSystemWatcher();
                 watch.Path = Path.GetDirectoryName(privateLog);
                 watch.Filter = Path.GetFileName(privateLog);
                 watch.NotifyFilter = NotifyFilters.LastAccess | NotifyFilters.LastWrite;