diff --git a/sd/source/ui/func/fuolbull.cxx b/sd/source/ui/func/fuolbull.cxx
index 076c09753409..8c8fc850648c 100644
--- a/sd/source/ui/func/fuolbull.cxx
+++ b/sd/source/ui/func/fuolbull.cxx
@@ -124,6 +124,8 @@ void FuBulletAndPosition::SetCurrentBulletsNumbering(SfxRequest& rReq)
     }
 
     const SfxUInt16Item* pItem = rReq.GetArgs()->GetItem(SID_ATTR_BULLET_INDEX);
+    if (!pItem) // tdf#161653
+        pItem = rReq.GetArg<SfxUInt16Item>(nSId);
     if ( !pItem )
     {
         rReq.Done();