diff --git a/cde/lib/DtHelp/VirtFuncs.c b/cde/lib/DtHelp/VirtFuncs.c
index 836e9ff64..2bbc2af34 100644
--- a/cde/lib/DtHelp/VirtFuncs.c
+++ b/cde/lib/DtHelp/VirtFuncs.c
@@ -109,8 +109,8 @@ _DtCvGetStringWidth (
 	result = (*(canvas->virt_functions.get_width)) (
 			canvas->client_data, _DtCvSTRING_TYPE,
 			(_DtCvPointer) &strInfo);
-    if (result < 0)
-	result = 0;
+    if (result <= 0)
+	result = 1;
 
     return result;