diff --git a/autoload/airline.vim b/autoload/airline.vim
index b927d46..d8b9ae1 100644
--- a/autoload/airline.vim
+++ b/autoload/airline.vim
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ function! airline#update_statusline(active)
 
   let sl = l:mode_color
   if a:active
-    let sl.='%{airline#update_highlight()} '.s:get_section('a').' %{&paste ? g:airline_paste_symbol." " : ""}'
+    let sl.='%{airline#update_highlight()} '.s:get_section('a').' '
     let sl.=l:mode_sep_color
     let sl.=a:active ? g:airline_left_sep : g:airline_left_alt_sep
     let sl.=l:info_color
diff --git a/plugin/airline.vim b/plugin/airline.vim
index 1c7061a..cc714fe 100644
--- a/plugin/airline.vim
+++ b/plugin/airline.vim
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ function! s:init()
     call airline#extensions#load()
     call airline#update_externals()
     call airline#load_theme(g:airline_theme)
-    call s:check_defined('g:airline_section_a', '%{g:airline_current_mode_text}')
+    call s:check_defined('g:airline_section_a', '%{g:airline_current_mode_text} %{&paste ? g:airline_paste_symbol." " : ""}')
     call s:check_defined('g:airline_section_b', '%{g:airline_externals_fugitive}')
     call s:check_defined('g:airline_section_c', g:airline_externals_bufferline)
     call s:check_defined('g:airline_section_gutter', '')