diff --git a/lib/riemann/dash/public/views/gauge.js b/lib/riemann/dash/public/views/gauge.js
index 435a421..4ed7976 100644
--- a/lib/riemann/dash/public/views/gauge.js
+++ b/lib/riemann/dash/public/views/gauge.js
@@ -37,7 +37,11 @@
         this.sub = subs.subscribe(this.query, function(e) {
           self.currentEvent = e;
           me.box.attr('class', 'box state ' + e.state);
-          value.text(format.float(e.metric, 2, me.commaSeparateThousands));
+          if (e.metric != undefined) {
+            value.text(format.float(e.metric, 2, me.commaSeparateThousands));
+          } else if (e.state != undefined) {
+            value.text(e.state)
+          }
           value.attr('title', e.description);
 
           // The first time, do a full-height reflow.