diff --git a/gtm b/gtm
index 2d20996..1ebe9b4 100755
--- a/gtm
+++ b/gtm
@@ -660,6 +660,14 @@ def draw_help_popup(stdscr, state):
     popup_x = max(0, (state.width - popup_width) // 2)
     popup_y = max(0, (state.height - popup_height) // 2)
     
+    # Fill the entire popup area with spaces to clear background
+    for y in range(popup_y, popup_y + popup_height):
+        for x in range(popup_x, popup_x + popup_width):
+            try:
+                stdscr.addch(y, x, ' ')
+            except curses.error:
+                pass
+    
     # Draw popup border
     for y in range(popup_y, popup_y + popup_height):
         for x in range(popup_x, popup_x + popup_width):