diff --git a/tty-draw.c b/tty-draw.c
index d707d1bf3..c5d66a169 100644
--- a/tty-draw.c
+++ b/tty-draw.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* $OpenBSD: tty-draw.c,v 1.17 2026/09/22 06:49:47 nicm Exp $ */
+/* $OpenBSD: tty-draw.c,v 1.18 2026/10/12 15:28:45 nicm Exp $ */
 
 /*
  * Copyright (c) 2026 Nicholas Marriott <nicholas.marriott@gmail.com>
@@ -253,6 +253,10 @@ tty_draw_line(struct tty *tty, struct screen *s, u_int px, u_int py, u_int nx,
 				/* Outside the area being drawn. */
 				empty = nx - i;
 				gcp = &grid_default_cell;
+
+				/* Flush the background before clearing. */
+				if (empty != 0 && gcp->bg != last.bg)
+					empty = 0;
 			} else {
 				/* Get the current cell. */
 				grid_view_get_cell(gd, px + i, py, &gc);