diff --git a/wcs/variables.py b/wcs/variables.py
index 453d8a02e..078064164 100644
--- a/wcs/variables.py
+++ b/wcs/variables.py
@@ -421,6 +421,9 @@ class LazyFieldVar(object):
     def __add__(self, other):
         return self.get_value().__add__(other)
 
+    def __radd__(self, other):
+        return other + self.get_value()
+
     def __mul__(self, other):
         return self.get_value().__mul__(other)