diff --git a/aqhome/data/vars.c b/aqhome/data/vars.c
index e6876f1..7e5ccef 100644
--- a/aqhome/data/vars.c
+++ b/aqhome/data/vars.c
@@ -287,7 +287,7 @@ int AQH_Vars_SetCharValue(AQH_VARS *vt, uint32_t flags, const char *path, char *
 
 const char *AQH_Vars_GetCharValue(AQH_VARS *vt, const char *path, int idx, const char *defaultValue)
 {
-  if (vt) {
+  if (vt && idx>=0) {
     AQH_VARS *vtChild;
     AQH_VARS *vtValue;
     int i;