diff --git a/application.py b/application.py
index 3160040..6f0de4e 100755
--- a/application.py
+++ b/application.py
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ def run_app(stdscr, buffers, jump_to_line=None, init_mode=None):
     a = Application(stdscr, buffers, jump_to_line, init_mode)
     a.run()
 
+MAX_ERROR_DISPLAY = 128
+
 KILL_RING_LIMIT = 128
 WORD_LETTERS = list(string.letters + string.digits)
 ERROR_TIMEOUT = -1
@@ -779,7 +781,10 @@ class Application(object):
     def get_minibuffer_lines(self):
         lines, lines2 = [], []
         if self.error_string:
-            s = self.error_string
+            if len(self.error_string) < MAX_ERROR_DISPLAY:
+                s = self.error_string
+            else:
+                s = self.error_string[:MAX_ERROR_DISPLAY] + '...'
         elif self.mini_buffer_is_open():
             s = self.mini_prompt + self.mini_buffer.lines[0]
             lines2 = self.mini_buffer.lines[1:]