diff --git a/kitty/fonts/freetype.py b/kitty/fonts/freetype.py
index 67285b4e2..d92e07452 100644
--- a/kitty/fonts/freetype.py
+++ b/kitty/fonts/freetype.py
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ def render_cell(text=' ', bold=False, italic=False, underline=0, strikethrough=F
             bitmap_char, second = split_char_bitmap(bitmap_char)
             second = place_char_in_cell(second)
         else:
-            second = render_cell()
+            second = render_cell()[0]
 
     first = place_char_in_cell(bitmap_char)
 
diff --git a/kitty/shaders.py b/kitty/shaders.py
index df0977f16..06b9d6cd8 100644
--- a/kitty/shaders.py
+++ b/kitty/shaders.py
@@ -83,11 +83,8 @@ class Sprites:
 
     def render_cell(self, text, bold, italic, is_second):
         first, second = render_cell(text, bold, italic)
-        if is_second:
-            ans = second or first
-        else:
-            ans = first
-        return ans or render_cell()
+        ans = (second or first) if is_second else first
+        return ans or render_cell()[0]
 
     def render_dirty_cells(self):
         with self.lock: