diff --git a/pkgs/scribble-pkgs/scribble-lib/scribble/base.rkt b/pkgs/scribble-pkgs/scribble-lib/scribble/base.rkt
index ab8da3cc..639f8a6e 100644
--- a/pkgs/scribble-pkgs/scribble-lib/scribble/base.rkt
+++ b/pkgs/scribble-pkgs/scribble-lib/scribble/base.rkt
@@ -567,7 +567,7 @@
     ;; that the space is preserved exactly:
     (let ([spaces (regexp-match-positions #rx"(?:^| ) +" str)])
       (if spaces
-        (list* (substring str 0 (caar spaces))
+        (list* (make-element 'tt (substring str 0 (caar spaces)))
                (hspace (- (cdar spaces) (caar spaces)))
                (str->elts (substring str (cdar spaces))))
         (list (make-element 'tt (list str))))))