diff --git a/src/message.c b/src/message.c
index 66936cd..cb749da 100644
--- a/src/message.c
+++ b/src/message.c
@@ -1391,7 +1391,7 @@
 		plain_start = str + 1;
 		msg_puts_attr(s, attr == 0 ? hl_attr(HLF_8) : attr);
 	    }
-	    retval += ptr2cells(str);
+	    retval += char2cells(*str);
 	    ++str;
 	}
     }