diff --git a/chrome/content/zotero/itemTree.jsx b/chrome/content/zotero/itemTree.jsx
index 2b9c21049a..0cfb8860cf 100644
--- a/chrome/content/zotero/itemTree.jsx
+++ b/chrome/content/zotero/itemTree.jsx
@@ -328,8 +328,12 @@ var ItemTree = class ItemTree extends LibraryTree {
 	async setItemsPaneMessage(message, lock=false) {
 		if (this._locked) return;
 		if (typeof message == 'string') {
-			let messageParts = message.split("\n\n");
-			message = messageParts.map(part => `<p>${part}</p>`).join('');
+			// Hack to keep "Loading items…" small
+			if (message == Zotero.getString('pane.items.loading')) {}
+			else {
+				let messageParts = message.split("\n\n");
+				message = messageParts.map(part => `<p>${part}</p>`).join('');
+			}
 		}
 		else if (message.outerHTML) {
 			message = message.outerHTML;
diff --git a/chrome/skin/default/zotero/overlay.css b/chrome/skin/default/zotero/overlay.css
index 6fd0d5b2cb..8283eacc3d 100644
--- a/chrome/skin/default/zotero/overlay.css
+++ b/chrome/skin/default/zotero/overlay.css
@@ -153,12 +153,12 @@
 	flex-direction: column;
 	justify-content: center;
 	align-items: center;
-	width: 100%;
+	width: calc(100% - 4em);
 	height: 100%;
 	position: absolute;
 	top: 0;
-	left: 0;
-	font-size: .7em;
+	left: 2em;
+	right: 2em;
 }
 
 .items-tree-message div {