diff --git a/terminal.c b/terminal.c
index 84c9d459..554aa8b2 100644
--- a/terminal.c
+++ b/terminal.c
@@ -2401,8 +2401,7 @@ print_spacer(struct terminal *term, int col)
 void
 term_print(struct terminal *term, wchar_t wc, int width)
 {
-    if (unlikely(width <= 0))
-        return;
+    assert(width > 0);
 
     print_linewrap(term);
     print_insert(term, width);
diff --git a/vt.c b/vt.c
index 148f2aae..f25f26be 100644
--- a/vt.c
+++ b/vt.c
@@ -663,7 +663,8 @@ action_utf8_print(struct terminal *term, wchar_t wc)
         }
     }
 
-    term_print(term, wc, width);
+    if (width > 0)
+        term_print(term, wc, width);
 }
 
 static void