diff --git a/powerline/segments/common/env.py b/powerline/segments/common/env.py
index bbfe3e25..68499fca 100644
--- a/powerline/segments/common/env.py
+++ b/powerline/segments/common/env.py
@@ -15,7 +15,11 @@ def environment(pl, segment_info, variable=None):
 	:param string variable:
 		The environment variable to return if found
 	'''
-	return segment_info['environ'].get(variable, None)
+	 
+    return [{
+		'contents': segment_info['environ'].get(variable, None),
+		'highlight_groups': ['environment_variable'],
+	}]
 
 
 @requires_segment_info