diff --git a/rc/filetype/c-family.kak b/rc/filetype/c-family.kak
index 57ee4a1c..c79f933e 100644
--- a/rc/filetype/c-family.kak
+++ b/rc/filetype/c-family.kak
@@ -151,6 +151,9 @@ define-command -hidden c-family-insert-on-newline %[ evaluate-commands -itersel
                 execute-keys d
             ]
         ]
+
+        # trim trailing whitespace on the previous line
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s\h+$<ret> d ]
     ]
     try %[
         # if the previous line isn't within a comment scope, break
@@ -180,7 +183,7 @@ define-command -hidden c-family-insert-on-newline %[ evaluate-commands -itersel
         ]
 
         # trim trailing whitespace on the previous line
-        try %[ execute-keys -draft s\h+$<ret> d ]
+        try %[ execute-keys -draft k <a-x> s\h+$<ret> d ]
         # align the new star with the previous one
         execute-keys K<a-x>1s^[^*]*(\*)<ret>&
     ]