Vascular morphogenesis is dependent on interactions at cell-cell contacts, and between cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM). Although integrin signalling is implicated in vessel remodelling, the molecular role of focal adhesions (FAs) is less clear. Now, Anne Lagendijk and colleagues use a novel talin1-deficient mutant to dissect the role of FAs in vascular network formation in zebrafish. This new talin1 mutant displays normal circulation until 2 dpf, allowing the authors to perform live analysis of endothelial cells devoid of FAs in perfused blood vessels. They confirm that the mutant zebrafish have a reduced number of mature FAs and observe that the FAs are required for filopodia persistence during angiogenic sprouting and vascular network maintenance. They discover that Talin1 is required for endothelial cell elongation and junction linearisation through cortical actin remodelling. Furthermore, they find that increasing actin polymerisation is sufficient to rescue the elongation defect. Together, these data demonstrate a key role for FAs during vascular network formation through modification of the actin network.