diff --git a/gtm b/gtm
index 999ee85..d3fb6fc 100755
--- a/gtm
+++ b/gtm
@@ -841,11 +841,17 @@ def draw_help_popup(stdscr, state):
 def draw_status_bar_background(stdscr, layout: StatusBarLayout):
     """Fill the entire status bar area with reverse video background"""
     for y in range(layout.start_y, layout.start_y + layout.total_height):
-        for x in range(layout.screen_width - 1):
-            try:
-                stdscr.addch(y, x, ' ', curses.A_REVERSE)
-            except curses.error:
-                pass
+        try:
+            # Fill the entire line with spaces in reverse video
+            # This is more efficient than adding characters one by one
+            stdscr.addstr(y, 0, ' ' * layout.screen_width, curses.A_REVERSE)
+        except curses.error:
+            # If we can't fill the entire line at once, try character by character
+            for x in range(layout.screen_width):
+                try:
+                    stdscr.addch(y, x, ' ', curses.A_REVERSE)
+                except curses.error:
+                    pass
 
 def draw_main_status_line(stdscr, state: AppState, layout: StatusBarLayout):
     """Draw the main status line (percentages, indicators, etc.)"""