diff --git a/src/ex_cmds.c b/src/ex_cmds.c
index 72d480c..64d14ae 100644
--- a/src/ex_cmds.c
+++ b/src/ex_cmds.c
@@ -2526,7 +2526,7 @@
 	else
 	    ++len;
     }
-    if (len > remaining)
+    if (len > remaining - 2)
     {
 	fprintf(fd, ">%d\n|<", len);
 	remaining = LSIZE - 20;