diff --git a/config/plugins/vim-airline.vim b/config/plugins/vim-airline.vim
index 6d407188b..8dd823971 100644
--- a/config/plugins/vim-airline.vim
+++ b/config/plugins/vim-airline.vim
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ if g:spacevim_buffer_index_type < 3
   for s:i in range(9)
     call extend(g:airline#extensions#tabline#buffer_idx_format,
           \ {s:i : SpaceVim#api#import('messletters').bubble_num(s:i,
-          \ g:spacevim_buffer_index_type). ' '})
+          \ get(g:, 'spacevim_buffer_index_type', 1)). ' '})
   endfor
   unlet s:i
 elseif g:spacevim_buffer_index_type == 3