diff --git a/helpers.lua b/helpers.lua
index 7c44648..106978f 100644
--- a/helpers.lua
+++ b/helpers.lua
@@ -180,9 +180,10 @@ end
 -- create a textbox with no spacing issues
 function helpers.make_widget_textbox()
     local w = wibox.widget.textbox()
-    local t = wibox.widget.base.make_widget(w)
-    t.widget = w
-    return t
+    --local t = wibox.widget.base.make_widget(w)
+    --t.widget = w
+    --return t
+    return setmetatable({ widget = w }, { __index = w })
 end
 
 -- }}}