diff --git a/platform/platform-impl/src/com/intellij/openapi/wm/impl/welcomeScreen/WelcomePane.java b/platform/platform-impl/src/com/intellij/openapi/wm/impl/welcomeScreen/WelcomePane.java
index 30a1c116f6db..369293579f3a 100644
--- a/platform/platform-impl/src/com/intellij/openapi/wm/impl/welcomeScreen/WelcomePane.java
+++ b/platform/platform-impl/src/com/intellij/openapi/wm/impl/welcomeScreen/WelcomePane.java
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ public class WelcomePane extends JPanel {
     c.insets = new Insets(15, 15, 15, 15);
     c.weightx = 0.33;
     c.weighty = 1;
+    c.fill = GridBagConstraints.BOTH;
     add(recentsPanel, c);
 
     c.gridx = 1;