diff --git a/applets/kickoff/package/contents/ui/Kickoff.qml b/applets/kickoff/package/contents/ui/Kickoff.qml
--- a/applets/kickoff/package/contents/ui/Kickoff.qml
+++ b/applets/kickoff/package/contents/ui/Kickoff.qml
@@ -33,6 +33,11 @@
 Item {
     id: kickoff
 
+    readonly property bool inPanel: (plasmoid.location == PlasmaCore.Types.TopEdge
+        || plasmoid.location == PlasmaCore.Types.RightEdge
+        || plasmoid.location == PlasmaCore.Types.BottomEdge
+        || plasmoid.location == PlasmaCore.Types.LeftEdge)
+
     Plasmoid.switchWidth: units.gridUnit * 20
     Plasmoid.switchHeight: units.gridUnit * 30
 
@@ -44,6 +49,8 @@
         //AppletQuickItem expects a layout to exist
         //setting even a default property forces it to be created
         Layout.fillWidth: false
+        Layout.maximumWidth: inPanel ? units.iconSizeHints.panel : -1
+        Layout.maximumHeight: inPanel ? units.iconSizeHints.panel : -1
         hoverEnabled: true
         onClicked: plasmoid.expanded = !plasmoid.expanded