diff --git a/options.py b/options.py
index 5ff2a85..25322fb 100644
--- a/options.py
+++ b/options.py
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ def _tty_width():
     except (IOError, ImportError):
         return _atoi(os.environ.get('WIDTH')) or 70
     (ysize,xsize,ypix,xpix) = struct.unpack('HHHH', s)
-    return xsize
+    return xsize or 70
 
 
 class Options: