diff --git a/kitty/tab_bar.py b/kitty/tab_bar.py
index 1680053a7..6d41798e9 100644
--- a/kitty/tab_bar.py
+++ b/kitty/tab_bar.py
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ class TabBar:
             return
         self.cell_width = cell_width
         s = self.screen
-        viewport_width = tab_bar.width - 2 * self.margin_width
+        viewport_width = max(4 * cell_width, tab_bar.width - 2 * self.margin_width)
         ncells = viewport_width // cell_width
         s.resize(1, ncells)
         s.reset_mode(DECAWM)