diff --git a/herbstluftwm/autostart b/herbstluftwm/autostart
index a35e93c..b421f05 100755
--- a/herbstluftwm/autostart
+++ b/herbstluftwm/autostart
@@ -180,6 +180,8 @@ hc unlock
 # or simply:
 hc detect_monitors
 
+# make room for the panel
+hc pad 0 22
 
 # find the panel
 panel=~/.config/herbstluftwm/panel.sh