diff --git a/kitty/screen.c b/kitty/screen.c
index 82028cf6c..27afbc914 100644
--- a/kitty/screen.c
+++ b/kitty/screen.c
@@ -317,7 +317,8 @@ found:
             // this is needed because screen_resize() checks to see if the cursor is beyond the content,
             // so insert some fake content
             Line *line = self->linebuf->line;
-            line->cpu_cells[0].ch = '>';
+            // we use a space as readline does not erase to bottom of screen so we fake it with spaces
+            line->cpu_cells[0].ch = ' ';
         }
     }
 }