diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/renderer/decorator/init.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/renderer/decorator/init.lua
index 5c8aece350b..6016474a8e4 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/renderer/decorator/init.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/renderer/decorator/init.lua
@@ -103,8 +103,12 @@ function Decorator:define_sign(icon)
       vim.fn.sign_undefine(name)
     end
 
+    if self.icon_placement ~= ICON_PLACEMENT.signcolumn or #icon.str < 1 then
+      return
+    end
+
     vim.fn.sign_define(name, {
-      text = icon.str,
+      text = string.sub(icon.str, 1, 1),
       texthl = icon.hl[1],
     })
   end