diff --git a/run-medley b/run-medley
index 928482ff..c388a6b7 100755
--- a/run-medley
+++ b/run-medley
@@ -34,8 +34,6 @@ fi
 # set defaults, overridden if suppplied explicitly
 
 prog="lde"
-geometry="-g 1440x900"
-screensize="-sc 1440x900"
 passthrough_args=""
 
 if [ -z "$LDEDESTSYSOUT" ] ; then
@@ -70,8 +68,8 @@ while [ "$#" -ne 0 ]; do
             geometry="-g $2"
             shift
             ;;
-        "--screensize" | "-screensize" | "-sc")
-            screensize = "-sc $2"
+        "--screensize" | "-screensize" | "-sc") 
+            screensize="-sc $2"
             shift
             ;;
         "--display" | "-d")
@@ -110,6 +108,12 @@ if [ -z "$LDESRCESYSOUT" ] ; then
     fi
 fi
 
+if [ -z "$geometry" ] ; then
+    # maiko guesses wrong
+    geometry="-g 1440x900"
+    screensize="-sc 1440x900"
+fi
+
 case "$LDESRCSYSOUT" in
     "http:*" | "https:*")
     echo URL not supported yet