diff --git a/ace-window.el b/ace-window.el
index ccb2783..7054acd 100644
--- a/ace-window.el
+++ b/ace-window.el
@@ -400,10 +400,13 @@ LEAF is (PT . WND)."
           (when (/= pt old-pt)
             (goto-char (+ pt 1))
             (push (cons wnd old-pt) aw--windows-points)))
-        (overlay-put ol 'display (aw--overlay-str wnd pt path))
-        (if (window-minibuffer-p wnd)
-            (overlay-put ol 'face 'aw-minibuffer-leading-char-face)
-          (overlay-put ol 'face 'aw-leading-char-face))
+        ;; this is where we would need to add a display-margin thingie
+        (overlay-put ol 'before-string
+                     (propertize "." 'display
+                                 `((margin left-margin)
+                                   ,(propertize
+                                     (concat " " (aw--overlay-str wnd pt path))
+                                     'face (if (window-minibuffer-p wnd) 'aw-minibuffer-leading-char-face 'aw-leading-char-face)))))
         (overlay-put ol 'window wnd)
         (push ol avy--overlays-lead)))))