diff --git a/src/ui.rs b/src/ui.rs
index 9046864..43bf05d 100644
--- a/src/ui.rs
+++ b/src/ui.rs
@@ -184,10 +184,14 @@ fn meter_line(
 
     spans.push(Span::raw("["));
     for (i, &tc) in text.iter().enumerate().take(inner) {
-        let is_marker = Some(i) == marker_pos;
+        // marker needs a blank cell underneath; never eat the value text
+        let is_marker = Some(i) == marker_pos && tc == ' ';
         let bg_ch = if i < fill { '|' } else { ' ' };
         let (ch, style) = if is_marker {
-            ('!', Style::default().fg(Color::Red).add_modifier(Modifier::BOLD))
+            (
+                '!',
+                Style::default().fg(Color::Red).add_modifier(Modifier::BOLD),
+            )
         } else if tc != ' ' {
             (tc, Style::default().add_modifier(Modifier::BOLD))
         } else if i < fill {