diff --git a/src/sugar/graphics/menuitem.py b/src/sugar/graphics/menuitem.py
index a357d78c..7af8a6a8 100644
--- a/src/sugar/graphics/menuitem.py
+++ b/src/sugar/graphics/menuitem.py
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ import gtk
 from sugar.graphics.icon import Icon
 
 class MenuItem(gtk.ImageMenuItem):
-    def __init__(self, text_label=None, icon_name=None, text_maxlen=0,
+    def __init__(self, text_label=None, icon_name=None, text_maxlen=60,
                  xo_color=None, file_name=None):
         gobject.GObject.__init__(self)
         self._accelerator = None
diff --git a/src/sugar/graphics/palette.py b/src/sugar/graphics/palette.py
index 919721b4..1c668b6d 100644
--- a/src/sugar/graphics/palette.py
+++ b/src/sugar/graphics/palette.py
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ class Palette(gtk.Window):
     # DEPRECATED: label is passed with the primary-text property, accel_path 
     # is set via the invoker property, and menu_after_content is not used
     def __init__(self, label=None, accel_path=None, menu_after_content=False,
-                 text_maxlen=0, **kwargs):
+                 text_maxlen=60, **kwargs):
 
         self.palette_state = self.PRIMARY