diff --git a/guile-readline/readline.c b/guile-readline/readline.c
index 2d3617d..ed524da 100644
--- a/guile-readline/readline.c
+++ b/guile-readline/readline.c
@@ -554,7 +554,7 @@ scm_init_readline ()
 #else  
   rl_completion_entry_function = (Function*) completion_function;
 #endif
-  rl_basic_word_break_characters = "\t\n\"'`;()";
+  rl_basic_word_break_characters = " \t\n\"'`;()";
   rl_readline_name = "Guile";
 
   reentry_barrier_mutex = scm_make_mutex ();