diff --git a/sys/src/cmd/kbmap.c b/sys/src/cmd/kbmap.c
index c621edc39..e26943318 100644
--- a/sys/src/cmd/kbmap.c
+++ b/sys/src/cmd/kbmap.c
@@ -103,6 +103,8 @@ geometry(void)
 	Rectangle r;
 
 	rows = (Dy(screen->r)-2*MARGIN+PAD)/(font->height+PAD);
+	if(rows < 1)
+		rows = 1;
 
 	r = Rect(0,0,(Dx(screen->r)-2*MARGIN), font->height);
 	for(i=0; i<nmap; i++)