diff --git a/data/theme/gnome-shell-high-contrast.scss b/data/theme/gnome-shell-high-contrast.scss
index 23279caf3..4ac340c92 100644
--- a/data/theme/gnome-shell-high-contrast.scss
+++ b/data/theme/gnome-shell-high-contrast.scss
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+$variant: 'light';
+
 @import "gnome-shell-sass/_high-contrast-colors"; //use gtk colors
 @import "gnome-shell-sass/_drawing";
 @import "gnome-shell-sass/_common";