diff --git a/garak/probes/encoding.py b/garak/probes/encoding.py
index 4a800913..821e38fe 100644
--- a/garak/probes/encoding.py
+++ b/garak/probes/encoding.py
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
 
 
 def _load_payloads():
-    global payloads
+    global payloads, extra_tags
     payloads = []
 
     extra_payload_tags = {