diff --git a/core/core-micro-state.el b/core/core-micro-state.el
index 94097a5ff..bdb2022fe 100644
--- a/core/core-micro-state.el
+++ b/core/core-micro-state.el
@@ -16,7 +16,8 @@
   "Define faces for micro-states."
   (let* ((hname 'spacemacs-micro-state-header-face)
          (bname 'spacemacs-micro-state-binding-face)
-         (box (face-attribute 'mode-line :box))
+         (box '(:line-width -1 :color (plist-get (face-attribute
+                                                  'mode-line :box) :color)))
          (err (face-attribute 'error :foreground)))
     (eval `(defface ,hname '((t ()))
              "Face for micro-state header in echo area.