diff --git a/core/modules/new_widgets/widget.js b/core/modules/new_widgets/widget.js
index 984efe512..68307dcc1 100755
--- a/core/modules/new_widgets/widget.js
+++ b/core/modules/new_widgets/widget.js
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ Widget.prototype.substituteVariableParameters = function(text,formalParams,actua
 Widget.prototype.substituteVariableReferences = function(text) {
 	var self = this;
 	return text.replace(/\$\(([^\)\$]+)\)\$/g,function(match,p1,offset,string) {
-		return self.getVariable(p1,"");
+		return self.getVariable(p1,null,"");
 	});
 };