diff --git a/scss/_type.scss b/scss/_type.scss
index e0be5193c0..ff7114074d 100644
--- a/scss/_type.scss
+++ b/scss/_type.scss
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ hr {
 
 small,
 .small {
-  font-size: $font-size-sm;
+  font-size: $small-font-size;
   font-weight: normal;
 }
 
diff --git a/scss/_variables.scss b/scss/_variables.scss
index ed0dee39fd..c1bcbdc2c0 100644
--- a/scss/_variables.scss
+++ b/scss/_variables.scss
@@ -205,6 +205,8 @@ $headings-color:         inherit !default;
 $lead-font-size:   1.25rem !default;
 $lead-font-weight: 300 !default;
 
+$small-font-size: 80% !default;
+
 $text-muted: $gray-light !default;
 
 $abbr-border-color: $gray-light !default;