diff --git a/hy/lex/states.py b/hy/lex/states.py
index dad9389..dcc14e7 100644
--- a/hy/lex/states.py
+++ b/hy/lex/states.py
@@ -61,6 +61,9 @@ def _resolve_atom(obj):
     if obj in table:
         return HySymbol(table[obj])
 
+    if obj.startswith("*") and obj.endswith("*") and obj != "*":
+        obj = obj[1:-1].upper()
+
     if "-" in obj and obj != "-":
         obj = obj.replace("-", "_")
 
diff --git a/tests/native_tests/language.hy b/tests/native_tests/language.hy
index 26cf266..9c079f4 100644
--- a/tests/native_tests/language.hy
+++ b/tests/native_tests/language.hy
@@ -124,3 +124,10 @@
     (catch KeyError (do
                       (+ 1 1)
                       (assert (= 1 1))))))
+
+(defn test-earmuffs []
+  "NATIVE: Test earmuffs"
+  (def *foo* "2")
+  (def foo "3")
+  (assert (= *foo* FOO))
+  (assert (!= *foo* foo)))