diff --git a/formatter_field.module b/formatter_field.module
index b9314dd..6171ad4 100644
--- a/formatter_field.module
+++ b/formatter_field.module
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ function formatter_field_field_widget_form(&$form, &$form_state, $field, $instan
 
   // Populate $items from $form_state values if available.  This is necessary
   // for the #ajax functionality.
-  if (!empty($form_state['values'])) {
+  if (!empty($form_state['values'][$instance['field_name']])) {
     $path = array($field['field_name'], $langcode);
     $items = drupal_array_get_nested_value($form_state['values'], $path);
   }