diff --git a/layers/+completion/spacemacs-ivy/packages.el b/layers/+completion/spacemacs-ivy/packages.el
index f161cd710..0d1a3989b 100644
--- a/layers/+completion/spacemacs-ivy/packages.el
+++ b/layers/+completion/spacemacs-ivy/packages.el
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ Helm hack."
         (call-interactively 'describe-mode))
 
       (spacemacs/set-leader-keys
-        dotspacemacs-command-key 'counsel-M-x
+        dotspacemacs-emacs-command-key 'counsel-M-x
         ;; files
         "ff"  'counsel-find-file
         "fL"  'counsel-locate
diff --git a/layers/smex/packages.el b/layers/smex/packages.el
index 89c9c0552..c7722ec68 100644
--- a/layers/smex/packages.el
+++ b/layers/smex/packages.el
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@
         ;; define the key binding at the very end in order to allow the user
         ;; to overwrite any key binding
         (add-hook 'emacs-startup-hook
-                  (lambda () (spacemacs/set-leader-keys dotspacemacs-command-key
-                               'spacemacs/smex)))
+                  (lambda () (spacemacs/set-leader-keys
+                               dotspacemacs-emacs-command-key 'spacemacs/smex)))
         (spacemacs/set-leader-keys ":" 'spacemacs/smex-major-mode-commands)
         (global-set-key (kbd "M-x") 'spacemacs/smex)))))