diff --git a/hledger-lib/Hledger/Read.hs b/hledger-lib/Hledger/Read.hs
index 81d7be828..a8750e725 100644
--- a/hledger-lib/Hledger/Read.hs
+++ b/hledger-lib/Hledger/Read.hs
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ ensureJournalFile f = do
 newJournalContent :: IO String
 newJournalContent = do
   d <- getCurrentDay
-  return $ printf "; journal created %s by hledger\n\n" (show d)
+  return $ printf "; journal created %s by hledger\n" (show d)
 
 -- | Read a Journal from this string, using the specified data format or
 -- trying all known formats, or give an error string.