diff --git a/livecoverage.module b/livecoverage.module
index e1774b6..8999c15 100644
--- a/livecoverage.module
+++ b/livecoverage.module
@@ -222,6 +222,9 @@ function livecoverage_view($node, $teaser = FALSE, $page = FALSE) {
     );
 
     // Set up the drupal_add_js() 'setting' options
+    if (empty($js_settings['livecoverage']['refresh_rate'])) {
+      $settings->refresh_rate = variable_get('livecoverage_refresh_rate', '180');
+    }
     $js_settings['livecoverage']['refresh_rate'] = $settings->refresh_rate . '000';
     $js_settings['livecoverage']['sort'] = $sort;
     $js_settings['livecoverage']['changed'] = $settings->changed;