diff --git a/bar.go b/bar.go
index f259709..29ad4e8 100644
--- a/bar.go
+++ b/bar.go
@@ -311,7 +311,7 @@
 					s.aDecorators = nil
 					s.toComplete = true
 					// truncate panic msg to one tw line, if necessary
-					r = strings.NewReader(fmt.Sprintf(fmt.Sprintf("%%.%ds\n", tw-1), s.panicMsg))
+					r = strings.NewReader(fmt.Sprintf(fmt.Sprintf("%%.%ds\n", tw), s.panicMsg))
 					fmt.Fprintf(debugOut, "%s %s bar id %02d %v\n", "[mpb]", time.Now(), s.id, s.panicMsg)
 				}
 				ch <- &renderedState{b, r, s.toComplete}
@@ -322,7 +322,7 @@
 			s := b.cacheState
 			var r io.Reader
 			if s.panicMsg != "" {
-				r = strings.NewReader(fmt.Sprintf(fmt.Sprintf("%%.%ds\n", tw-1), s.panicMsg))
+				r = strings.NewReader(fmt.Sprintf(fmt.Sprintf("%%.%ds\n", tw), s.panicMsg))
 			} else {
 				r = s.draw(tw, pSyncer, aSyncer)
 			}
diff --git a/bar_test.go b/bar_test.go
index eb224eb..09eb1af 100644
--- a/bar_test.go
+++ b/bar_test.go
@@ -120,6 +120,6 @@
 	lastLine := getLastLine(buf.Bytes())
 
 	if string(lastLine) != wantPanic {
-		t.Errorf("Want: %q, got: %q\n", wantPanic, buf.String())
+		t.Errorf("Want: %q, got: %q\n", wantPanic, string(lastLine))
 	}
 }