diff --git a/internal/p10k.zsh b/internal/p10k.zsh
index 4366628d..3d499c73 100755
--- a/internal/p10k.zsh
+++ b/internal/p10k.zsh
@@ -77,8 +77,9 @@ _p9k_cache_get() {
 
 # Sets _P9K_RETVAL to the icon whose name is supplied via $1.
 _p9k_get_icon() {
-  local var_name=POWERLEVEL9K_$1
-  _P9K_RETVAL=${(g::)${${(P)var_name}-$icons[$1]}}
+  local x=POWERLEVEL9K_$1
+  (( $+parameters[$x] )) && x=${(P)x} || x=$icons[$1]
+  _P9K_RETVAL=${(g::)x}
   [[ $_P9K_RETVAL != $'\b'? ]] || _P9K_RETVAL="%{$_P9K_RETVAL%}"  # penance for past sins
 }