diff --git a/uicdm/src/main/java/ucar/nc2/ui/coverage2/CoverageViewer.java b/uicdm/src/main/java/ucar/nc2/ui/coverage2/CoverageViewer.java
index f92c42ea42..73bb7f584e 100644
--- a/uicdm/src/main/java/ucar/nc2/ui/coverage2/CoverageViewer.java
+++ b/uicdm/src/main/java/ucar/nc2/ui/coverage2/CoverageViewer.java
@@ -696,7 +696,7 @@ private void makeEventManagement() {
     // heres what to do when the currentField changes
     ActionSourceListener fieldSource = new ActionSourceListener(actionName) {
       public void actionPerformed(ActionValueEvent e) {
-        if (setField(e.getValue())) {
+        if (setField(e.getValue().toString())) {
           if (e.getActionCommand().equals("redrawImmediate")) {
             draw(true);
             // colorScalePanel.paintImmediately(colorScalePanel.getBounds()); // kludgerino