diff --git a/src/gfx.cpp b/src/gfx.cpp
index 646afffcf6..95c53e6b13 100644
--- a/src/gfx.cpp
+++ b/src/gfx.cpp
@@ -540,6 +540,9 @@ static int DrawLayoutLine(const ParagraphLayouter::Line &line, int y, int left,
 		dot_width = fc->GetGlyphWidth(dot_glyph);
 		dot_sprite = fc->GetGlyph(dot_glyph);
 
+		/* Is there enough space even for an ellipsis? */
+		if (max_w < dot_width * 3) return (_current_text_dir == TD_RTL) ? left : right;
+
 		if (_current_text_dir == TD_RTL) {
 			min_x += 3 * dot_width;
 			offset_x = w - max_w;