diff --git a/powerlevel9k.zsh-theme b/powerlevel9k.zsh-theme
index 2f4d7e7d..76c3c3c0 100644
--- a/powerlevel9k.zsh-theme
+++ b/powerlevel9k.zsh-theme
@@ -452,12 +452,12 @@ function +vi-git-aheadbehind() {
 
     # for git prior to 1.7
     # ahead=$(git rev-list origin/${branch_name}..HEAD | wc -l)
-    ahead=$(git rev-list ${branch_name}@{upstream}..HEAD 2>/dev/null | wc -l)
+    ahead=$(git rev-list "${branch_name}"@{upstream}..HEAD 2>/dev/null | wc -l)
     (( ahead )) && gitstatus+=( " %F{$POWERLEVEL9K_VCS_FOREGROUND}$(print_icon 'VCS_OUTGOING_CHANGES_ICON')${ahead// /}%f" )
 
     # for git prior to 1.7
     # behind=$(git rev-list HEAD..origin/${branch_name} | wc -l)
-    behind=$(git rev-list HEAD..${branch_name}@{upstream} 2>/dev/null | wc -l)
+    behind=$(git rev-list HEAD.."${branch_name}"@{upstream} 2>/dev/null | wc -l)
     (( behind )) && gitstatus+=( " %F{$POWERLEVEL9K_VCS_FOREGROUND}$(print_icon 'VCS_INCOMING_CHANGES_ICON')${behind// /}%f" )
 
     hook_com[misc]+=${(j::)gitstatus}