diff --git a/collects/scribblings/scribble/utils.ss b/collects/scribblings/scribble/utils.ss
index b51fe4d09e..abf1581aeb 100644
--- a/collects/scribblings/scribble/utils.ss
+++ b/collects/scribblings/scribble/utils.ss
@@ -110,15 +110,17 @@
   (define strs2 (split out-text))
   (define strsm (map (compose split cdr) more))
   (define (str->elts str)
+    (let ([spaces (regexp-match-positions #rx"(?:^| ) +" str)])
+      (if spaces
+        (list* (substring str 0 (caar spaces))
+               (hspace (- (cdar spaces) (caar spaces)))
+               (str->elts (substring str (cdar spaces))))
+        (list (make-element 'tt (list str))))))
+  (define (make-line str)
     (if (equal? str "")
-      (list (make-element 'newline (list "")))
-      (let ([spaces (regexp-match-positions #rx"(?:^| ) +" str)])
-        (if spaces
-          (list* (substring str 0 (caar spaces))
-                 (hspace (- (cdar spaces) (caar spaces)))
-                 (str->elts (substring str (cdar spaces))))
-          (list (make-element 'tt (list str)))))))
-  (define (make-line str) (list (as-flow (make-element 'tt (str->elts str)))))
+      ;;FIXME: this works in html, but in latex it creates a redundant newline
+      (list (as-flow (make-element 'newline '())))
+      (list (as-flow (make-element 'tt (str->elts str))))))
   (define (small-attr attr)
     (make-with-attributes attr '([style . "font-size: 82%;"])))
   (define (make-box strs)