diff --git a/performance.rst b/performance.rst
index 5dc175d01f6..63b935aff8b 100644
--- a/performance.rst
+++ b/performance.rst
@@ -138,13 +138,15 @@ If you're using the Standard Distribution, make the following changes::
     
     use Symfony\Component\ClassLoader\ApcClassLoader;
 
-    $loader = require __DIR__.'/../app/autoload.php';
+    // do not use $loader as a variable name here as it would
+    // be overwritten when loading the bootstrap.php.cache file
+    $classLoader = require __DIR__.'/../app/autoload.php';
     include_once __DIR__.'/../app/bootstrap.php.cache';
 
     // Use APC for autoloading to improve performance
     // Change 'sf2' by the prefix you want in order
     // to prevent key conflict with another application
-    $loader = new ApcClassLoader('sf2', $loader);
+    $loader = new ApcClassLoader('sf2', $classLoader);
     $loader->register(true);
 
     // ...