diff --git a/packages/webawesome/src/components/carousel/carousel.css b/packages/webawesome/src/components/carousel/carousel.css
index f1fd7b113..004d30a0a 100644
--- a/packages/webawesome/src/components/carousel/carousel.css
+++ b/packages/webawesome/src/components/carousel/carousel.css
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 :host {
   --aspect-ratio: 16 / 9;
   --scroll-hint: 0px;
-  --slide-gap: var(--wa-space-m);
+  --slide-gap: var(--wa-space-m, 1rem); /* fallback value is necessary */
 
   display: flex;
 }