diff --git a/common/nvim/init.lua b/common/nvim/init.lua
index e9c0883..0f454b9 100644
--- a/common/nvim/init.lua
+++ b/common/nvim/init.lua
@@ -137,6 +137,10 @@ vim.opt.splitbelow = true
 vim.opt.list = true
 vim.opt.listchars = { tab = "» ", trail = "·", nbsp = "␣" }
 
+-- make tabs a reasonable width
+vim.opt.tabstop = 4
+vim.opt.softtabstop = 4
+
 -- Preview substitutions live, as you type!
 vim.opt.inccommand = "split"