diff --git a/zipline/algorithm.py b/zipline/algorithm.py
index 625459df..839812ff 100644
--- a/zipline/algorithm.py
+++ b/zipline/algorithm.py
@@ -283,9 +283,13 @@ class TradingAlgorithm(object):
             then set self.mavg to some value and it will be recorded.
 
         """
-        if isinstance(names, basestring):
+        if not isinstance(names, list):
             names = [names]
 
+        for name in names:
+            if not isinstance(name, basestring):
+                raise TypeError("record_variables expects only strings")
+
         if self.initialized:
             raise Exception(MESSAGES.ERRORS.CALL_RECORD_VARIABLES_POST_INIT)