diff --git a/tailbone/util.py b/tailbone/util.py
index 71aa35e3..78ab07f0 100644
--- a/tailbone/util.py
+++ b/tailbone/util.py
@@ -300,8 +300,8 @@ def get_available_themes(rattail_config, include=None):
     available.sort()
 
     # make default theme the first option
-    i = available.index('default')
-    if i >= 0:
+    if 'default' in available:
+        i = available.index('default')
         available.pop(i)
     available.insert(0, 'default')