diff --git a/hledger-lib/Hledger/Read/Common.hs b/hledger-lib/Hledger/Read/Common.hs
index e1f46f8ad..dc645c5f3 100644
--- a/hledger-lib/Hledger/Read/Common.hs
+++ b/hledger-lib/Hledger/Read/Common.hs
@@ -959,6 +959,7 @@ lotcostp =
   label "ledger-style lot cost" $ do
   char '{'
   doublebrace <- option False $ char '{' >> pure True
+  lift skipNonNewlineSpaces
   _fixed <- fmap isJust $ optional $ lift skipNonNewlineSpaces >> char '='
   lift skipNonNewlineSpaces
   _a <- simpleamountp False