diff --git a/modules/pacman/init.zsh b/modules/pacman/init.zsh
index f1397f0..c6bbfbd 100644
--- a/modules/pacman/init.zsh
+++ b/modules/pacman/init.zsh
@@ -18,6 +18,10 @@ if [[ ${zpacman_frontend} == 'auto' ]]; then
   else
     zpacman_frontend='pacman'
   fi
+elif (( ! $+zpacman_fontend )); then
+  # this conditional is broken, for unknown reasons.
+  # it should test if zpacman_frontend is set, but is hit regardless of if it is set or not.
+  zpacman_frontend='pacman'
 elif (( ! $+commands[${zpacman_frontend}] )); then
   print "pacman frontend \"${zpacman_frontend}\" is invalid or not installed. Reverting to \"pacman\"." >&2 
   print "you can fix this error by editing the 'zpacman_frontend' variable in your .zimrc" >&2