diff --git a/users/simon/modules/sway.nix b/users/simon/modules/sway.nix
index 351d8f8..17264fd 100644
--- a/users/simon/modules/sway.nix
+++ b/users/simon/modules/sway.nix
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ let
   wallpaper = if nixosConfig.sbruder.unfree.allowAssets then wallpaperUnfree else wallpaperFree;
 
   cfg = config.wayland.windowManager.sway.config;
-  thinsp = " ";
 in
 lib.mkIf nixosConfig.sbruder.gui.enable {
   wayland.windowManager.sway = {
@@ -310,6 +309,9 @@ lib.mkIf nixosConfig.sbruder.gui.enable {
       # nerd fonts are abusing arabic which breaks latin text
       # context: https://github.com/Alexays/Waybar/issues/628
       lrm = "‎";
+
+      # for fine-grained control over spacing
+      thinsp = " ";
     in
     lib.generators.toJSON { } {
       layer = "top";