diff --git a/src/Mod/Fem/femsolver/solver_taskpanel.py b/src/Mod/Fem/femsolver/solver_taskpanel.py
index a399ab843d..f64ee9c522 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Fem/femsolver/solver_taskpanel.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Fem/femsolver/solver_taskpanel.py
@@ -240,6 +240,9 @@ class ControlWidget(QtGui.QWidget):
         # Solver status log
         self._statusEdt = QtGui.QPlainTextEdit()
         self._statusEdt.setReadOnly(True)
+        # for the log we need a certain height
+        # set it so to almost match the size of the CCX solver panel
+        self._statusEdt.setMinimumHeight(300)
 
         # Elapsed time indicator
         timeHeaderLbl = QtGui.QLabel(self.tr("Elapsed Time:"))