setting variables in pdb

[Art]

If I am in Pdb, I would like to set a temporary variable, for example:

(Pdb) r = 1

The 'r' gets interpreted as 'return' by Pdb.

Is there a Pdb instruction that guarantees the intended effect, like:

(Pdb) let r = 1

I can usually avoid using such variable names, but if I am changing
the value of a local variable, it is convenient to be able to make
sure that trying to change that variable doesn't unintentionally call
a Pdb routine.

Thanks,
Art.