diff --git a/app/assets/stylesheets/desktop/topic-list.scss b/app/assets/stylesheets/desktop/topic-list.scss
index 19c5e9aee05..3a71168c548 100644
--- a/app/assets/stylesheets/desktop/topic-list.scss
+++ b/app/assets/stylesheets/desktop/topic-list.scss
@@ -196,25 +196,10 @@
 
 /* Tablet (portrait) ----------- */
 
-@include breakpoint(medium, $sidebar: true) {
-  // slightly smaller font, tighten spacing on nav pills
-  .nav-pills {
-    > li > a {
-      font-size: $font-0;
-      padding: 7px 10px;
-    }
-  }
+// These styles kick in a little earlier when the sidebar appears
 
+@include breakpoint(medium, $sidebar: true) {
   .topic-list {
-    // tighter table header spacing
-    .topic-list-item .topic-list-data:first-of-type {
-      padding: 12px 5px;
-    }
-    // smaller table cell spacing
-    .topic-list-data {
-      padding: 10px;
-      font-size: $font-0;
-    }
     // suppress views column
     .views {
       display: none;
@@ -245,3 +230,25 @@
     }
   }
 }
+
+@include breakpoint(medium) {
+  // slightly smaller font, tighten spacing on nav pills
+  .nav-pills {
+    > li > a {
+      font-size: $font-0;
+      padding: 7px 10px;
+    }
+  }
+
+  .topic-list {
+    // tighter table header spacing
+    .topic-list-item .topic-list-data:first-of-type {
+      padding: 12px 5px;
+    }
+    // smaller table cell spacing
+    .topic-list-data {
+      padding: 10px;
+      font-size: $font-0;
+    }
+  }
+}