diff --git a/src/core/PaperScript.js b/src/core/PaperScript.js
index 560094d0..e316f6c3 100644
--- a/src/core/PaperScript.js
+++ b/src/core/PaperScript.js
@@ -251,9 +251,13 @@ Base.exports.PaperScript = function() {
                         if (/^.=$/.test(node.operator)
                                 && node.left.type !== 'Literal') {
                             var left = getCode(node.left),
-                                right = getCode(node.right);
-                            replaceCode(node, left + ' = __$__(' + left + ', "'
-                                    + node.operator[0] + '", ' + right + ')');
+                                right = getCode(node.right),
+                                exp = left + ' = __$__(' + left + ', "'
+                                    + node.operator[0] + '", ' + right + ')';
+                            // If the original expression is wrapped in
+                            // parenthesis, do the same with the replacement:
+                            replaceCode(node, /^\(.*\)$/.test(getCode(node))
+                                    ? '(' + exp + ')' : exp);
                         }
                     }
                 }