diff --git a/lib/6to5/transformation/helpers/build-binary-assignment-operator-transformer.js b/lib/6to5/transformation/helpers/build-binary-assignment-operator-transformer.js
index 59e9f53107..96743c8bdc 100644
--- a/lib/6to5/transformation/helpers/build-binary-assignment-operator-transformer.js
+++ b/lib/6to5/transformation/helpers/build-binary-assignment-operator-transformer.js
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ module.exports = function (exports, opts) {
     if (!isAssignment(expr)) return;
 
     var nodes    = [];
-    var exploded = explode(expr.left, nodes, file, scope);
+    var exploded = explode(expr.left, nodes, file, scope, true);
 
     nodes.push(t.expressionStatement(
       buildAssignment(exploded.ref, opts.build(exploded.uid, expr.right))
diff --git a/lib/6to5/transformation/helpers/explode-assignable-expression.js b/lib/6to5/transformation/helpers/explode-assignable-expression.js
index 8b0e47d879..eecc696b78 100644
--- a/lib/6to5/transformation/helpers/explode-assignable-expression.js
+++ b/lib/6to5/transformation/helpers/explode-assignable-expression.js
@@ -29,8 +29,14 @@ var getPropRef = function (node, nodes, file, scope) {
   return temp;
 };
 
-module.exports = function (node, nodes, file, scope) {
-  var obj = getObjRef(node, nodes, file, scope);
+module.exports = function (node, nodes, file, scope, allowedSingleIdent) {
+  var obj;
+  if (t.isIdentifier(node) && allowedSingleIdent) {
+    obj = node;
+  } else {
+    obj = getObjRef(node, nodes, file, scope);
+  }
+
   var ref, uid;
 
   if (t.isIdentifier(node)) {