diff --git a/src/screen.c b/src/screen.c
index f799b58..c53feca 100644
--- a/src/screen.c
+++ b/src/screen.c
@@ -5610,7 +5610,7 @@
 	/* Use 'tabline'.  Always at the first line of the screen. */
 	p = p_tal;
 	row = 0;
-	fillchar = t_colors < 8 ? '_' : ' ';
+	fillchar = ' ';
 	attr = hl_attr(HLF_TPF);
 	maxwidth = Columns;
 # ifdef FEAT_EVAL