diff --git a/lib/widget.js b/lib/widget.js
index 204600d..9845e8b 100644
--- a/lib/widget.js
+++ b/lib/widget.js
@@ -2971,9 +2971,9 @@ Element.prototype.setLabel = function(options) {
 
   var reposition = function() {
     var visible = self.height - self.iheight;
-    self._label.rtop = self.childBase - (self.border ? 1 : 0);
+    self._label.rtop = (self.childBase || 0) - (self.border ? 1 : 0);
     if (!self.screen.autoPadding) {
-      self._label.rtop = self.childBase;
+      self._label.rtop = (self.childBase || 0);
     }
     self.screen.render();
   };