diff --git a/frontend/device/generic/device.lua b/frontend/device/generic/device.lua
index a93c5bcc4..be7e6abfc 100644
--- a/frontend/device/generic/device.lua
+++ b/frontend/device/generic/device.lua
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ function Device:init()
     end
 
     local is_eink = G_reader_settings:readSetting("eink")
-    self.screen.eink = (is_eink == nill) or is_eink
+    self.screen.eink = (is_eink == nil) or is_eink
 
     DEBUG("initializing for device", self.model)
     DEBUG("framebuffer resolution:", self.screen:getSize())
diff --git a/spec/unit/eink_optimization_spec.lua b/spec/unit/eink_optimization_spec.lua
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..bfaf82253
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/unit/eink_optimization_spec.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+require("commonrequire")
+
+describe("eink optimization setting", function()
+    it("should be correctly loaded", function()
+        G_reader_settings:saveSetting("eink", true)
+        assert.Equals(require("device").screen.eink, true)
+    end)
+end)