diff --git a/lib/wibox/widget/textbox.lua.in b/lib/wibox/widget/textbox.lua.in
index 7578f3e0..4ebd31ad 100644
--- a/lib/wibox/widget/textbox.lua.in
+++ b/lib/wibox/widget/textbox.lua.in
@@ -45,6 +45,11 @@ end
 function textbox:fit(width, height)
     setup_layout(self, width, height)
     local ink, logical = self._layout:get_pixel_extents()
+
+    if logical.width == 0 or logical.height == 0 then
+        return 0, 0
+    end
+
     return logical.width, logical.height
 end