diff --git a/game/glass/btl4lobby.cpp b/game/glass/btl4lobby.cpp
index fdf673c..f1c62ec 100644
--- a/game/glass/btl4lobby.cpp
+++ b/game/glass/btl4lobby.cpp
@@ -267,7 +267,9 @@ static void
 				member.vehicle[0] ? member.vehicle : "mech",
 				member.color[0] ? member.color : "-",
 				member.isSelf ? L"   (you)" : L"",
-				build_ok ? L"" : L"   [WRONG BUILD -- WILL NOT LAUNCH]");
+				// #169: keep the tag short -- the long "-- WILL NOT LAUNCH"
+				// tail clipped at the 536px row edge on long name+vehicle rows.
+				build_ok ? L"" : L"   [WRONG BUILD]");
 		}
 		else
 		{