diff --git a/vud.theme.inc b/vud.theme.inc
index 6584c1f..90eafbe 100644
--- a/vud.theme.inc
+++ b/vud.theme.inc
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ function vud_widget_proxy($content_id, $type, $tag, $widget_theme, $readonly=NUL
     'function' => 'negatives'
   );
   $negatives = (int)votingapi_select_single_result_value($criteria);
-  $variables['down_points'] = $negatives;
+  $variables['down_points'] = abs($negatives);
 
   if ($vote_result > 0) {
     $variables['class'] = 'positive';