diff --git a/src/main/wacc/parser.scala b/src/main/wacc/parser.scala
index 5403060..8141a4c 100644
--- a/src/main/wacc/parser.scala
+++ b/src/main/wacc/parser.scala
@@ -91,7 +91,8 @@ object parser {
     `<ident-or-array-elem>`,
     Parens("(" ~> `<expr>` <~ ")")
   )
-  private val `<ident>` = Ident(ident)
+  private val `<ident>` =
+    Ident(ident) | some("*" | "&").verifiedExplain("pointer operators are not allowed")
   private lazy val `<ident-or-array-elem>` =
     `<ident>` <**> (`<array-indices>` </> identity)
   private val `<array-indices>` = ArrayElem(some("[" ~> `<expr>` <~ "]"))