diff --git a/lib/puppet/type/shellvar.rb b/lib/puppet/type/shellvar.rb
index 70c99c6..97378ae 100644
--- a/lib/puppet/type/shellvar.rb
+++ b/lib/puppet/type/shellvar.rb
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ def sync
 
   newparam(:name) do
     desc 'The default namevar'
+    isnamevar
   end
 
   newparam(:variable) do