diff --git a/includes/data.php b/includes/data.php
index <HASH>..<HASH> 100644
--- a/includes/data.php
+++ b/includes/data.php
@@ -329,6 +329,12 @@ function pods_var ( $var = 'last', $type = 'get', $default = null, $allowed = nu
 
             if ( isset( $user->{$var} ) )
                 $value = $user->{$var};
+            elseif ( 'role' == $var ) {
+                $value = '';
+
+                if ( !empty( $user->roles ) )
+                    $value = array_unshift( $user->roles );
+            }
             else
                 $value = get_user_meta( $user->ID, $var );
Added 'role' var handling to pods_var