diff --git a/themes/powerline-multiline/powerline-multiline.theme.bash b/themes/powerline-multiline/powerline-multiline.theme.bash
index beaf3048..0978e3d0 100644
--- a/themes/powerline-multiline/powerline-multiline.theme.bash
+++ b/themes/powerline-multiline/powerline-multiline.theme.bash
@@ -42,9 +42,8 @@ THEME_PROMPT_CLOCK_FORMAT=${POWERLINE_PROMPT_CLOCK_FORMAT:="%H:%M:%S"}
 IN_VIM_THEME_PROMPT_COLOR=245
 IN_VIM_THEME_PROMPT_TEXT="vim"
 
-POWERLINE_LEFT_PROMPT="scm python_venv rvm cwd"
-POWERLINE_RIGHT_PROMPT="in_vim clock battery user_info"
-
+POWERLINE_LEFT_PROMPT=${POWERLINE_LEFT_PROMPT:="scm python_venv rvm cwd"}
+POWERLINE_RIGHT_PROMPT=${POWERLINE_RIGHT_PROMPT:="in_vim clock battery user_info"}
 
 function set_rgb_color {
   if [[ "${1}" != "-" ]]; then