diff --git a/lisp/emulation/cua-base.el b/lisp/emulation/cua-base.el
index c248dbbdcf2..6a0e8a00cde 100644
--- a/lisp/emulation/cua-base.el
+++ b/lisp/emulation/cua-base.el
@@ -1039,7 +1039,7 @@ If ARG is the atom `-', scroll upward by nearly full screen."
 	(set-cursor-color color))
     (if (and type
 	     (symbolp type)
-	     (not (eq type (frame-parameter nil 'cursor-type))))
+	     (not (eq type default-cursor-type)))
 	(setq default-cursor-type type))))