diff --git a/shell/view/home/FriendView.py b/shell/view/home/FriendView.py
index 5b54cced..52bc26e8 100644
--- a/shell/view/home/FriendView.py
+++ b/shell/view/home/FriendView.py
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ class FriendView(hippo.CanvasBox):
 			self._activity_icon.props.icon_name = name
 			self._activity_icon.props.color = buddy.get_color()
 			if not self._activity_icon_visible:
-				self.append(self._activity_icon)
+				self.append(self._activity_icon, hippo.PACK_EXPAND)
 				self._activity_icon_visible = True
 		else:
 			self._remove_activity_icon()
diff --git a/sugar/graphics/canvasicon.py b/sugar/graphics/canvasicon.py
index 01e4c0b4..2d983ae2 100644
--- a/sugar/graphics/canvasicon.py
+++ b/sugar/graphics/canvasicon.py
@@ -143,7 +143,11 @@ class CanvasIcon(hippo.CanvasBox, hippo.CanvasItem):
 					icon_name, self._color, self._size)
 		buf = self._get_buffer(cr, handle, self._size)
 
-		cr.set_source_surface(buf, 0.0, 0.0)
+		[width, height] = self.get_allocation()
+		x = (width - self._size) / 2
+		y = (height - self._size) / 2
+		
+		cr.set_source_surface(buf, x, y)
 		cr.paint()
 
 	def do_get_width_request(self):