diff --git a/src/xterm.c b/src/xterm.c
index 2e0407aff4..5792574e05 100644
--- a/src/xterm.c
+++ b/src/xterm.c
@@ -3932,7 +3932,7 @@ x_draw_glyph_string (struct glyph_string *s)
 	  /* Strike-through width and offset from the glyph string's
 	     top edge.  */
           unsigned long h = 1;
-          unsigned long dy = (glyph_height - h) / 2;
+          unsigned long dy = (glyph_height - h) / 3;
 
 	  if (s->face->strike_through_color_defaulted_p)
 	    x_fill_rectangle (s->f, s->gc, s->x, glyph_y + dy,