diff --git a/layouts/shortcodes/columns.html b/layouts/shortcodes/columns.html
index ecb68a9c..a359e414 100644
--- a/layouts/shortcodes/columns.html
+++ b/layouts/shortcodes/columns.html
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 <div class="gdoc-columns gdoc-columns--{{ $size }} flex flex-gap flex-mobile-column">
   {{- range split .Inner "<--->" }}
     <div class="gdoc-columns__content gdoc-markdown--nested flex-even">
-      {{ . | $.Page.RenderString }}
+      {{ . | $.Page.RenderString -}}
     </div>
   {{- end }}
 </div>