diff --git a/vimrc b/vimrc
index 2fd7238..20437ff 100644
--- a/vimrc
+++ b/vimrc
@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@ set ignorecase hlsearch
 " enable syntax highlighting
 syntax on
 
+" show tabs and trailing spaces
+set list listchars=tab:>-,trail:-
+
 " Suppress the banner in netrw
 let g:netrw_banner=0