diff --git a/src/args.jl b/src/args.jl
index 45044ead..4085a6c3 100644
--- a/src/args.jl
+++ b/src/args.jl
@@ -564,9 +564,6 @@ function reset_axis_defaults_byletter!()
 end
 reset_axis_defaults_byletter!()
 
-const _all_defaults = KW[_series_defaults, _plot_defaults, _subplot_defaults]
-
-
 is_subplot_attr(k) = k in _all_subplot_args
 is_series_attr(k) = k in _all_series_args
 is_axis_attr(k) = Symbol(chop(string(k); head = 1, tail = 0)) in _all_axis_args
@@ -910,6 +907,7 @@ function parse_axis_kw(s::Symbol)
     return nothing
 end
 
+
 # update the defaults globally
 
 """
diff --git a/src/consts.jl b/src/consts.jl
index 49bee86b..c09177d8 100644
--- a/src/consts.jl
+++ b/src/consts.jl
@@ -49,3 +49,18 @@ for arg in _all_args
 end
 # add all non_underscored forms to the _keyAliases
 add_non_underscore_aliases!(_keyAliases)
+
+# fill symbol cache
+for letter in (:x, :y, :z)
+    _attrsymbolcache[letter] = Dict{Symbol, Symbol}()
+    for k in keys(_axis_defaults)
+        # populate attribute cache
+        lk = Symbol(letter, k)
+        _attrsymbolcache[letter][k] = lk
+        # allow the underscore version too: xguide or x_guide
+        add_aliases(lk, Symbol(letter, "_", k))
+    end
+    for k in (_magic_axis_args..., :(_discrete_indices))
+        _attrsymbolcache[letter][k] = Symbol(letter, k)
+    end
+end