diff --git a/piker/ui/_style.py b/piker/ui/_style.py
index 1b63e08f..6ba3b76a 100644
--- a/piker/ui/_style.py
+++ b/piker/ui/_style.py
@@ -120,6 +120,7 @@ class DpiAwareFont:
 
         dpi = mn_dpi
 
+        mult = 1.0
         # dpi is likely somewhat scaled down so use slightly larger font size
         if scale >= 1.1 and self._font_size: