diff --git a/src/ex_cmds.c b/src/ex_cmds.c
index 8143c24..c365937 100644
--- a/src/ex_cmds.c
+++ b/src/ex_cmds.c
@@ -3360,7 +3360,13 @@
 		indent = get_indent_lnum(lnum);
 	}
 	ex_keep_indent = FALSE;
-	if (eap->ea_getline == NULL)
+	if (*eap->arg == '|')
+	{
+	    // Get the text after the trailing bar.
+	    theline = vim_strsave(eap->arg + 1);
+	    *eap->arg = NUL;
+	}
+	else if (eap->ea_getline == NULL)
 	{
 	    // No getline() function, use the lines that follow. This ends
 	    // when there is no more.