diff --git a/pdfannots/types.py b/pdfannots/types.py
index b61fba4..941ca73 100644
--- a/pdfannots/types.py
+++ b/pdfannots/types.py
@@ -397,7 +397,7 @@ def postprocess(self) -> None:
         # default initial contents are a copy of the selected text. Unless the user goes to
         # the trouble of editing each annotation, this goes badly for us because we have
         # duplicate text and contents (e.g., for simple highlights and strikeout).
-        if self.contents and self.text and ''.join(self.text).strip() == self.contents.strip():
+        if self.contents and self.text and self.gettext().strip() == self.contents.strip():
             self.contents = None