diff --git a/scss/_variables.scss b/scss/_variables.scss
index 7d8fb3b3bf03..319a719b918c 100644
--- a/scss/_variables.scss
+++ b/scss/_variables.scss
@@ -319,7 +319,7 @@ $display-line-height:         $headings-line-height !default;
 $lead-font-size:              $font-size-base * 1.25 !default;
 $lead-font-weight:            300 !default;
 
-$small-font-size:             80% !default;
+$small-font-size:             .875em !default;
 
 $text-muted:                  $gray-600 !default;