diff --git a/src/core/defcomp.jl b/src/core/defcomp.jl
index 2b527d0fe..39f5c52a1 100644
--- a/src/core/defcomp.jl
+++ b/src/core/defcomp.jl
@@ -268,7 +268,10 @@ macro defcomp(comp_name, ex)
                 end
             end
 
-            datum_type = (datum_type === nothing ? Number : Main.eval(datum_type))
+            @debug "before: datum type is $datum_type, which is of type $(typeof(datum_type))"
+            datum_type = (datum_type === nothing ? :Number : datum_type)
+            @debug "after: datum type is $datum_type, which is of type $(typeof(datum_type))"
+
             addexpr(_generate_var_or_param(elt_type, name, datum_type, dimensions, dflt, desc, unit))
 
         else