diff --git a/cqlengine/models.py b/cqlengine/models.py
index 3893bb9e..f51c5dd2 100644
--- a/cqlengine/models.py
+++ b/cqlengine/models.py
@@ -77,12 +77,12 @@ class ModelMetaClass(type):
         """
         #move column definitions into columns dict
         #and set default column names
-        columns = OrderedDict()
+        column_dict = OrderedDict()
         primary_keys = OrderedDict()
         pk_name = None
 
         def _transform_column(col_name, col_obj):
-            columns[col_name] = col_obj
+            column_dict[col_name] = col_obj
             if col_obj.primary_key:
                 primary_keys[col_name] = col_obj
             col_obj.set_column_name(col_name)
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ class ModelMetaClass(type):
 
         #check for duplicate column names
         col_names = set()
-        for v in columns.values():
+        for v in column_dict.values():
             if v.db_field_name in col_names:
                 raise ModelException("{} defines the column {} more than once".format(name, v.db_field_name))
             col_names.add(v.db_field_name)
@@ -131,11 +131,11 @@ class ModelMetaClass(type):
 
         #create db_name -> model name map for loading
         db_map = {}
-        for field_name, col in columns.items():
+        for field_name, col in column_dict.items():
             db_map[col.db_field_name] = field_name
 
         #add management members to the class
-        attrs['_columns'] = columns
+        attrs['_columns'] = column_dict
         attrs['_primary_keys'] = primary_keys
         attrs['_db_map'] = db_map
         attrs['_pk_name'] = pk_name