diff --git a/rc/core/c-family.kak b/rc/core/c-family.kak
index 13daf3c5..3d725ec0 100644
--- a/rc/core/c-family.kak
+++ b/rc/core/c-family.kak
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ def -hidden _c-family-indent-on-newline %[ eval -draft -itersel %[
     ## indent after a statement not followed by an opening brace
     try %[ exec -draft k <a-x> <a-k>\b(if|else|for|while)\h*\(.+?\)\h*$<ret> j <a-gt> ]
     ## align to the opening parenthesis on a previous line if its followed by text on the same line
-    try %[ exec -draft {b <a-k>\`\([^\n]+\n[^\n]*\'<ret> L s\`|.\'<ret> & ]
+    try %[ exec -draft {b <a-k>\`\([^\n]+\n[^\n]*\n?\'<ret> L s\`|.\'<ret> & ]
 ] ]
 
 def -hidden _c-family-indent-on-opening-curly-brace %[