diff --git a/builtin/game/statbars.lua b/builtin/game/statbars.lua
index aef86da21941a..77aaea5abd1e0 100644
--- a/builtin/game/statbars.lua
+++ b/builtin/game/statbars.lua
@@ -29,6 +29,10 @@ local function scaleToDefault(player, field)
 	-- Scale "hp" or "breath" to the default dimensions
 	local current = player["get_" .. field](player)
 	local nominal = core["PLAYER_MAX_".. field:upper() .. "_DEFAULT"]
+	if field == "breath" then
+		-- Show up/scale to 10 bubbles. Default 11 lets the bar disappear.
+		nominal = nominal - 1
+	end
 	local max_display = math.max(nominal,
 			math.max(player:get_properties()[field .. "_max"], current))
 	return current / max_display * nominal