diff --git a/autoload/airline/extensions.vim b/autoload/airline/extensions.vim
index fefb755c..bdb2c270 100644
--- a/autoload/airline/extensions.vim
+++ b/autoload/airline/extensions.vim
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ function! airline#extensions#apply(...)
     let w:airline_section_y = ''
   endif
 
-  if &previewwindow
+  if &previewwindow && empty(get(w:, 'airline_section_a', ''))
     let w:airline_section_a = 'Preview'
     let w:airline_section_b = ''
     let w:airline_section_c = bufname(winbufnr(winnr()))