diff --git a/src/code/sharpm.lisp b/src/code/sharpm.lisp
index a628872..8852c22 100644
--- a/src/code/sharpm.lisp
+++ b/src/code/sharpm.lisp
@@ -96,7 +96,9 @@
   (unless dimensions (simple-reader-error stream
                                           "no dimensions argument to #A"))
   (collect ((dims))
-    (let* ((contents (read stream t nil t))
+    (let* ((contents
+            (let ((*backquote-count* 0))
+              (read stream t nil t)))
            (seq contents))
       (dotimes (axis dimensions
                      (make-array (dims) :initial-contents contents))
@@ -123,7 +125,8 @@
     (read stream t nil t)
     (return-from sharp-S nil))
   (let ((body (if (char= (read-char stream t) #\( )
-                  (read-list stream nil)
+                  (let ((*backquote-count* 0))
+                    (read-list stream nil))
                   (simple-reader-error stream "non-list following #S"))))
     (unless (listp body)
       (simple-reader-error stream "non-list following #S: ~S" body))