diff --git a/src/pyj/read_book/paged_mode.pyj b/src/pyj/read_book/paged_mode.pyj
index dc7d7b9b1d..8a019c4f07 100644
--- a/src/pyj/read_book/paged_mode.pyj
+++ b/src/pyj/read_book/paged_mode.pyj
@@ -178,12 +178,22 @@ def layout(is_single_page):
                 evt.preventDefault()
         )
 
-    ncols = (document.body.scrollWidth + gap) / col_and_gap
-    if ncols is not Math.floor(ncols):
-        n = Math.floor(ncols)
-        dw = (n*col_width + (n-1)*gap)
-        document.body.width = dw + 'px'
-        print('WARNING: column layout broken', {'col_with':col_width, 'gap':gap, 'scrollWidth':document.body.scrollWidth, 'ncols':ncols, 'delta':document.body.scrollWidth - dw})
+    def check_column_widths():
+        ncols = (document.body.scrollWidth + gap) / col_and_gap
+        if ncols is not Math.floor(ncols):
+            n = Math.floor(ncols)
+            dw = (n*col_width + (n-1)*gap)
+            data = {'col_with':col_width, 'gap':gap, 'scrollWidth':document.body.scrollWidth, 'ncols':ncols, 'desired_width':dw}
+            return data
+    data = check_column_widths()
+    if data:
+        dw = data.desired_width
+        set_css(document.body, max_width=dw + 'px', min_width=dw + 'px')
+        set_css(document.documentElement, max_width=dw + 'px', min_width=dw + 'px')
+    data = check_column_widths()
+    if data:
+        print('WARNING: column layout broken', data)
+
     _in_paged_mode = True
     fit_images()
     return gap