diff --git a/meh/ui/text.py b/meh/ui/text.py
index e4d99f2..db19a40 100644
--- a/meh/ui/text.py
+++ b/meh/ui/text.py
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ def __init__(self, title, *args, **kwargs):
 
     @property
     def _usable_width(self):
-        return os.environ.get("COLUMNS", 80) - 1
+        return int(os.environ.get("COLUMNS", 80)) - 1
 
     def _print_rule(self):
         rule = self._usable_width * "="