diff --git a/pidcat.py b/pidcat.py
index 570c53b..c95c25d 100755
--- a/pidcat.py
+++ b/pidcat.py
@@ -333,15 +333,16 @@ while adb.poll() is None:
 
   linebuf = ''
 
-  # right-align tag title and allocate color if needed
-  if tag != last_tag or args.always_tags:
-    last_tag = tag
-    color = allocate_color(tag)
-    tag = tag[-args.tag_width:].rjust(args.tag_width)
-    linebuf += colorize(tag, fg=color)
-  else:
-    linebuf += ' ' * args.tag_width
-  linebuf += ' '
+  if args.tag_width > 0:
+    # right-align tag title and allocate color if needed
+    if tag != last_tag or args.always_tags:
+      last_tag = tag
+      color = allocate_color(tag)
+      tag = tag[-args.tag_width:].rjust(args.tag_width)
+      linebuf += colorize(tag, fg=color)
+    else:
+      linebuf += ' ' * args.tag_width
+    linebuf += ' '
 
   # write out level colored edge
   if level in TAGTYPES: