diff --git a/src/CommandLine/ParserSettings.cs b/src/CommandLine/ParserSettings.cs
index 93962566..e0a1423a 100644
--- a/src/CommandLine/ParserSettings.cs
+++ b/src/CommandLine/ParserSettings.cs
@@ -35,6 +35,10 @@ public ParserSettings()
             try
             {
                 maximumDisplayWidth = Console.WindowWidth;
+                if (maximumDisplayWidth < 1)
+                {
+                    maximumDisplayWidth = DefaultMaximumLength;
+                }
             }
             catch (IOException)
             {
diff --git a/src/CommandLine/Text/HelpText.cs b/src/CommandLine/Text/HelpText.cs
index eaa6ade5..24dacbc2 100644
--- a/src/CommandLine/Text/HelpText.cs
+++ b/src/CommandLine/Text/HelpText.cs
@@ -105,6 +105,10 @@ public HelpText(SentenceBuilder sentenceBuilder, string heading, string copyrigh
             try
             {
                 maximumDisplayWidth = Console.WindowWidth;
+                if (maximumDisplayWidth < 1)
+                {
+                    maximumDisplayWidth = DefaultMaximumLength;
+                }
             }
             catch (IOException)
             {