diff --git a/src/reynir/basics.py b/src/reynir/basics.py
index c7fd01bf..7e8221c6 100644
--- a/src/reynir/basics.py
+++ b/src/reynir/basics.py
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ def lines(self) -> Iterator[str]:
                     self._line += 1
                     if s.rstrip().endswith("\\"):
                         # Backslash at end of line: continuation in next line
-                        accumulator += s.rstrip()[:-1]
+                        accumulator += s.strip()[:-1]
                         continue
                     if accumulator:
                         # Add accumulated text from preceding