diff --git a/scss/_dropdown.scss b/scss/_dropdown.scss
index 2ab7536e13..a8aaa585c1 100644
--- a/scss/_dropdown.scss
+++ b/scss/_dropdown.scss
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
   display: none; // none by default, but block on "open" of the menu
   float: left;
   min-width: $dropdown-min-width;
-  padding: $dropdown-padding-y 0;
+  padding: $dropdown-padding-y $dropdown-padding-x;
   margin: $dropdown-spacer 0 0; // override default ul
   @include font-size($dropdown-font-size);
   color: $dropdown-color;
diff --git a/scss/_variables.scss b/scss/_variables.scss
index 3ff0c65b35..fb9b7cd609 100644
--- a/scss/_variables.scss
+++ b/scss/_variables.scss
@@ -755,6 +755,7 @@ $navbar-dark-brand-hover-color:           $navbar-dark-active-color !default;
 // Dropdown menu container and contents.
 
 $dropdown-min-width:                10rem !default;
+$dropdown-padding-x:                0 !default;
 $dropdown-padding-y:                .5rem !default;
 $dropdown-spacer:                   .125rem !default;
 $dropdown-font-size:                $font-size-base !default;