diff --git a/data/core/macros/ai_controller.cfg b/data/core/macros/ai_controller.cfg
index 6a09bd2a3e36..16808785ed7a 100644
--- a/data/core/macros/ai_controller.cfg
+++ b/data/core/macros/ai_controller.cfg
@@ -21,7 +21,10 @@
                 id="ai_controller_unit_control_{UNIT_ID}"
                 description= _ "Ask $ai_controller_unit.name to move here"
                 [show_if]
-                    side={CONTROLLER_SIDE}
+                    [variable]
+                        name=side_number
+                        numerical_equals={CONTROLLER_SIDE}
+                    [/variable]
                     [have_unit]
                         id={UNIT_ID}
                     [/have_unit]
@@ -71,7 +74,10 @@
                 id=ai_controller_leader_control_{CONTROLLED_SIDE}
                 description= _ "Ask $ally_leader.name (leader of side $ally_leader.side) to move here"
                 [show_if]
-                    side={CONTROLLER_SIDE}
+                    [variable]
+                        name=side_number
+                        numerical_equals={CONTROLLER_SIDE}
+                    [/variable]
                     [have_unit]
                         side={CONTROLLED_SIDE}
                         canrecruit=yes