diff --git a/layout.c b/layout.c
index baa6ebee8..5e48610f9 100644
--- a/layout.c
+++ b/layout.c
@@ -461,7 +461,8 @@ layout_fix_panes(struct window *w, struct window_pane *skip)
 		    layout_add_horizontal_border(w, lc, status)) {
 			if (status == PANE_STATUS_TOP)
 				wp->yoff++;
-			sy--;
+			if (sy > 1)
+				sy--;
 		}
 
 		if (window_pane_scrollbar_reserve(wp)) {