diff --git a/src/format.rs b/src/format.rs
index 5b40372ea..bdf4bab53 100644
--- a/src/format.rs
+++ b/src/format.rs
@@ -896,7 +896,7 @@ impl<'a> Formatter<'a> {
             self.format_words(line, true, depth);
         }
         if !compact {
-            if prevent_compact {
+            if prevent_compact && start_line_pos > 0 {
                 self.output.push('\n');
             }
             for _ in 0..self.config.multiline_indent * depth.saturating_sub(1) {