diff --git a/mobject/matrix.py b/mobject/matrix.py
index 2c1fe1dd..924b9917 100644
--- a/mobject/matrix.py
+++ b/mobject/matrix.py
@@ -166,7 +166,9 @@ def get_det_text(matrix, determinant=None, background_rect=True, initial_scale_f
     l_paren, r_paren = parens.split()
     l_paren.next_to(matrix, LEFT, buff=0.1)
     r_paren.next_to(matrix, RIGHT, buff=0.1)
-    det = TextMobject("det").next_to(l_paren, LEFT, buff=0.1)
+    det = TextMobject("det")
+    det.scale(initial_scale_factor)
+    det.next_to(l_paren, LEFT, buff=0.1)
     if background_rect:
         det.add_background_rectangle()
     det_text = VMobject(det, l_paren, r_paren)