diff --git a/src/screen.c b/src/screen.c
index fae2703..36afc2d 100644
--- a/src/screen.c
+++ b/src/screen.c
@@ -4901,6 +4901,7 @@
 	 * special character (via 'listchars' option "precedes:<char>".
 	 */
 	if (lcs_prec_todo != NUL
+		&& wp->w_p_list
 		&& (wp->w_p_wrap ? wp->w_skipcol > 0 : wp->w_leftcol > 0)
 #ifdef FEAT_DIFF
 		&& filler_todo <= 0