diff --git a/src/PluginInfo/PluginInfo.js b/src/PluginInfo/PluginInfo.js
index 4d77cbc..ae003c9 100644
--- a/src/PluginInfo/PluginInfo.js
+++ b/src/PluginInfo/PluginInfo.js
@@ -312,6 +312,12 @@
             var src = el.attrib.src;
             if (options) {
                 var vars = options.cli_variables || {};
+
+                if (Object.keys(vars).length === 0) {
+                    // get variable defaults from plugin.xml for removal
+                    vars = self.getPreferences(platform);
+                }
+                
                 var regExp;
                 // Iterate over plugin variables.
                 // Replace them in framework src if they exist