diff --git a/powerline_shell/segments/env.py b/powerline_shell/segments/env.py
index 29ef048a..6954578c 100644
--- a/powerline_shell/segments/env.py
+++ b/powerline_shell/segments/env.py
@@ -4,7 +4,11 @@
 
 class Segment(BasicSegment):
     def add_to_powerline(self):
-        self.powerline.append(
-            " %s " % os.getenv(self.segment_def["var"]),
-            self.segment_def.get("fg_color", self.powerline.theme.PATH_FG),
-            self.segment_def.get("bg_color", self.powerline.theme.PATH_BG))
+        env = os.getenv(self.segment_def["var"])
+        if env is None and "default" in self.segment_def:
+            env = self.segment_def["default"]
+        if env is not None:
+            self.powerline.append(
+                " %s " % env,
+                self.segment_def.get("fg_color", self.powerline.theme.PATH_FG),
+                self.segment_def.get("bg_color", self.powerline.theme.PATH_BG))