diff --git a/docs/changelog.rst b/docs/changelog.rst
index 3b6424b4a..5e5a70ad6 100644
--- a/docs/changelog.rst
+++ b/docs/changelog.rst
@@ -13,6 +13,9 @@ To update |kitty|, :doc:`follow the instructions <binary>`.
 - Hints kitten: Adjust the default regex used to detect line numbers to handle
   line+column numbers (:iss:`2268`)
 
+- Fix blank space at the start of tab bar in powerline style when first tab is
+  inactive (:iss:`2478`)
+
 
 0.17.1 [2020-03-24]
 --------------------
diff --git a/kitty/tab_bar.py b/kitty/tab_bar.py
index 3d97741b9..12b47bf92 100644
--- a/kitty/tab_bar.py
+++ b/kitty/tab_bar.py
@@ -137,6 +137,7 @@ def draw_tab_with_powerline(draw_data: DrawData, screen: Screen, tab: TabBarData
         screen.draw(' ')
         screen.cursor.fg = tab_fg
     elif screen.cursor.x == 0:
+        screen.cursor.bg = tab_bg
         screen.draw(' ')
         start_draw = 1