diff --git a/kitty/config_data.py b/kitty/config_data.py
index 69b82b50d..5f0668800 100644
--- a/kitty/config_data.py
+++ b/kitty/config_data.py
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ o('scrollback_lines', 2000, option_type=positive_int, long_text=_('''
 Number of lines of history to keep in memory for scrolling back. Memory is allocated
 on demand.'''))
 
-o('scrollback_pager', 'less --RAW-CONTROL-CHARS +INPUT_LINE_NUMBER', option_type=to_cmdline, long_text=_('''
+o('scrollback_pager', 'less --chop-long-lines --RAW-CONTROL-CHARS +INPUT_LINE_NUMBER', option_type=to_cmdline, long_text=_('''
 Program with which to view scrollback in a new window. The scrollback buffer is
 passed as STDIN to this program. If you change it, make sure the program you
 use can handle ANSI escape sequences for colors and text formatting.