The effect of the finite dimension of the measuring probe, i.e. the laser beam width, on the electrophoretic mobility distribution as determined by electrophoretic light scattering in closed capillary cells is presented on a quantitative basis. The experimental mobility broadening as a function of the probe position in the capillary is in agreement with the broadening expected from the laser beam waist. A strategy for the accurate determination of average mobility and mobility distributions is proposed.