diff --git a/kitty/fonts.c b/kitty/fonts.c
index 074f35932..19bbd9929 100644
--- a/kitty/fonts.c
+++ b/kitty/fonts.c
@@ -669,8 +669,7 @@ render_alpha_mask(uint8_t *alpha_mask, pixel* dest, Region *src_rect, Region *de
         for(size_t sc = src_rect->left, dc = dest_rect->left; sc < src_rect->right && dc < dest_rect->right; sc++, dc++) {
             uint8_t src_alpha = d[dc] & 0xff;
             uint8_t alpha = s[sc];
-            uint8_t combined_alpha = MAX(alpha, src_alpha);
-            d[dc] = 0xffffff00 | MIN(0xffu, combined_alpha);
+            d[dc] = 0xffffff00 | MAX(alpha, src_alpha);;
         }
     }
 }