There's a way of doing it that doesn't cause use strict 'refs' to complain, but that doesn't change the fact that what you are doing is exactly what use strict 'refs' is meant to stop you from doing. Why are you creating variable names? Why isn't a hash good enough?

Either use no strict 'refs' to get rid of the error or don't use symbolic refs. Using the workaround (symbol table manipulation) just hides the problem, while no strict 'refs' documents that you are using this dangerous feature.

Oh and get rid of the my. You can't my a dereferencing.