diff --git a/src/demo/witherworm.c b/src/demo/witherworm.c
index 11b682a2d..2f3a663ed 100644
--- a/src/demo/witherworm.c
+++ b/src/demo/witherworm.c
@@ -274,7 +274,6 @@ static int
 message(struct ncplane* n, int maxy, int maxx, int num, int total,
         int bytes_out, int egs_out, int cols_out){
   cell c = CELL_TRIVIAL_INITIALIZER;
-  cell_load(n, &c, " ");
   cell_set_fg_alpha(&c, CELL_ALPHA_TRANSPARENT);
   cell_set_bg_alpha(&c, CELL_ALPHA_TRANSPARENT);
   ncplane_set_default(n, &c);