diff --git a/GPy/plotting/matplot_dep/kernel_plots.py b/GPy/plotting/matplot_dep/kernel_plots.py
index dd0f1cf5..347e3d08 100644
--- a/GPy/plotting/matplot_dep/kernel_plots.py
+++ b/GPy/plotting/matplot_dep/kernel_plots.py
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ def add_bar_labels(fig, ax, bars, bottom=0):
             c = 'w'
             t = TextPath((0, 0), "${xi}$".format(xi=xi), rotation=0, ha='center')
             transform = transOffset
-            if patch.get_extents().height <= t.get_extents().height + 3:
+            if patch.get_extents().height <= t.get_extents().height + 5:
                 va = 'bottom'
                 c = 'k'
                 transform = transOffsetUp