diff --git a/geometry.cpp b/geometry.cpp
index 715deae4..183c24fd 100644
--- a/geometry.cpp
+++ b/geometry.cpp
@@ -592,6 +592,11 @@ void geometry_information::prepare_basics() {
     plevel = M_PI * single_step / steps;
     }
   
+  if(hybri) {
+    /* we do not want too short creatures, better make the scale factor smaller */
+    scalefactor = min(scalefactor, cgi.plevel * 1.8 / vid.height_width);
+    }
+  
   set_sibling_limit();
   
   prepare_compute3();