diff --git a/src/nano.c b/src/nano.c
index 1a4fc4346668b5ae88d54971314e7ed6a393679d..c9751120a91dd0b7b194afc9e90f17f59d5e505c 100644
--- a/src/nano.c
+++ b/src/nano.c
@@ -2560,6 +2560,8 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
      * dimensions. */
     window_init();
 
+    editwincols = COLS;
+
     /* Set up the signal handlers. */
     signal_init();