diff --git a/background.js b/background.js
index c08ad16b..9e6f5259 100644
--- a/background.js
+++ b/background.js
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+//the id of this user, randomly generated once per install
+var userID = null;
+
 chrome.tabs.onUpdated.addListener(function(tabId, changeInfo, tab) {
 	chrome.tabs.sendMessage(tabId, {
 		message: 'update',