diff --git a/wp-settings.php b/wp-settings.php
index 252dfb4715..e050efa6ea 100644
--- a/wp-settings.php
+++ b/wp-settings.php
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ define('WPINC', 'wp-includes');
 require (ABSPATH . WPINC . '/wp-db.php');
 
 $wpdb->hide_errors();
-if (!$wpdb->get_row("SELECT * FROM $tableoptions LIMIT 1") && !strstr($REQUEST_URI, 'install.php')) {
+if (!$wpdb->get_row("SELECT * FROM $tableoptions LIMIT 1") && !strstr($HTTP_SERVER_VARS['REQUEST_URI'], 'install.php')) {
 	die("It doesn't look like you've installed WP yet. Try running <a href='wp-admin/install.php'>install.php</a>.");
 }
 $wpdb->show_errors();
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ require (ABSPATH . WPINC . '/kses.php');
 // We should eventually migrate to either calling
 // get_settings() wherever these are needed OR
 // accessing a single global $all_settings var
-if (!strstr($REQUEST_URI, 'install.php')) {
+if (!strstr($HTTP_SERVER_VARS['REQUEST_URI'], 'install.php')) {
     $siteurl = get_settings('siteurl');
 	// "When trying to design a foolproof system, 
 	//  never underestimate the ingenuity of the fools :)"