diff --git a/themux.conf b/themux.conf
index 5b40f1e..e1a3c25 100644
--- a/themux.conf
+++ b/themux.conf
@@ -9,7 +9,10 @@ run "#{d:current_file}/utils/load_theme.sh"
   set -g status-style "default"
   set -g @_tmx_status_bg "default"
 
-  %hidden TMX_MESSAGE_BACKGROUND="default"
+  # The status bar is transparent, but the message/command-prompt overlay needs an
+  # opaque background: it draws OVER the status line, so a transparent fill would
+  # leave the status-format bleeding through the prompt (rename, command mode, ...).
+  %hidden TMX_MESSAGE_BACKGROUND="#{@thm_mantle}"
 %else
   # Treat @themux_status_background as a format string.
   set -gF status-style "bg=#{E:@themux_status_background},fg=#{@thm_fg}"
@@ -42,9 +45,13 @@ source -F "#{d:current_file}/modules/zoom.conf"
 set -g @_tmx_module_divider \
   "#[fg=#{E:@themux_module_divider_color},bg=default]#{E:@themux_module_divider}"
 
-# messages
-set -gF message-style "fg=#{@thm_teal},bg=$TMX_MESSAGE_BACKGROUND,align=centre"
-set -gF message-command-style "fg=#{@thm_teal},bg=$TMX_MESSAGE_BACKGROUND,align=centre"
+# messages / command-prompt (rename-window, command mode, confirm-before). `fill`
+# repaints the whole status line with the message background so the prompt fully
+# replaces the status-format instead of drawing over it — without `fill` the
+# window list and modules bleed through the prompt. `align` must NOT be set: any
+# alignment defeats the fill and the status re-appears on the uncovered side.
+set -gF message-style "fg=#{@thm_teal},bg=$TMX_MESSAGE_BACKGROUND,fill=$TMX_MESSAGE_BACKGROUND"
+set -gF message-command-style "fg=#{@thm_teal},bg=$TMX_MESSAGE_BACKGROUND,fill=$TMX_MESSAGE_BACKGROUND"
 
 # menu
 %if "#{>=:#{version},3.4}"