diff --git a/lib/reporters/dot_reporter.js b/lib/reporters/dot_reporter.js
index eaf9af9c7..6e5cab0c2 100644
--- a/lib/reporters/dot_reporter.js
+++ b/lib/reporters/dot_reporter.js
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ function DotReporter(silent, out) {
   this.startTime = new Date();
   this.endTime = null;
   this.currentLineChars = 0;
+  this.maxLineChars = Math.min(this.out.columns || 65, 65) - 5;
   this.out.write('\n');
   this.out.write('  ');
 }
@@ -37,7 +38,7 @@ DotReporter.prototype = {
     if (this.silent) {
       return;
     }
-    if (this.currentLineChars > 60) {
+    if (this.currentLineChars > this.maxLineChars) {
       this.currentLineChars = 0;
       this.out.write('\n  ');
     }