diff --git a/startup.4th b/startup.4th
index 2985123..f679422 100644
--- a/startup.4th
+++ b/startup.4th
@@ -1255,7 +1255,8 @@ DEFER REFILL
 : CONSTANT CREATE LATEST >DFA ! ;
 
 \ Same for double-cell constants; no DFA trick this time
-: 2CONSTANT : POSTPONE 2LITERAL POSTPONE ; ;
+: 2CONSTANT ( x1 x2 -- ) CREATE HERE 2 CELLS ALLOT 2!
+   DOES> ( -- x1 x2 ) 2@ ;
 
 \ Define a single-cell named variable which returns its data address when executed.
 \ The initial value is formally undefined. This implementation sets it to NULL.