diff --git a/packages/react/components/indicator/__tests__/indicator.test.tsx b/packages/react/components/indicator/__tests__/indicator.test.tsx
index b557ce354..0d380838c 100644
--- a/packages/react/components/indicator/__tests__/indicator.test.tsx
+++ b/packages/react/components/indicator/__tests__/indicator.test.tsx
@@ -64,4 +64,21 @@ describe('Indicator', () => {
       expect(dot).toBeInTheDocument();
     });
   });
+
+  describe('Accessibility', () => {
+    it('labels the badge with the default variant', () => {
+      render(<Indicator />);
+      expect(screen.getByRole('status')).toHaveAttribute(
+        'aria-label',
+        'accent indicator'
+      );
+    });
+
+    it('treats a null variant as accent', () => {
+      render(<Indicator variant={null} />);
+      const badge = screen.getByRole('status');
+      expect(badge).toHaveAttribute('aria-label', 'accent indicator');
+      expect(badge).toHaveClass(styles['indicator-variant-accent']);
+    });
+  });
 });
diff --git a/packages/react/components/indicator/indicator.tsx b/packages/react/components/indicator/indicator.tsx
index e6dbbe29d..58c113d32 100644
--- a/packages/react/components/indicator/indicator.tsx
+++ b/packages/react/components/indicator/indicator.tsx
@@ -45,7 +45,9 @@ export const Indicator = ({
   'aria-label': ariaLabel,
   ...props
 }: IndicatorProps) => {
-  const accessibilityLabel = ariaLabel || label || `${variant} indicator`;
+  const resolvedVariant = variant ?? 'accent';
+  const accessibilityLabel =
+    ariaLabel || label || `${resolvedVariant} indicator`;
 
   return (
     <div
@@ -55,7 +57,7 @@ export const Indicator = ({
     >
       {children}
       <div
-        className={indicator({ variant, className })}
+        className={indicator({ variant: resolvedVariant, className })}
         role='status'
         aria-label={accessibilityLabel}
         data-slot='indicator-badge'