diff --git a/src/python/adgui.py b/src/python/adgui.py
index 3f4fb9b1..0f0bbf10 100755
--- a/src/python/adgui.py
+++ b/src/python/adgui.py
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ class adgui(QObject):
         elif level < ad.MSG_TRACE:
             html = f"<font color={color}>{s}</font><br>\n"
         if s != "" and s != "\n":
-            new_bol = s[-1] == '\n'
+            new_bol = not no_nl or (s[-1] == '\n')
             if not no_nl:
                 s += '\n'
             # always save non-empty messages to debug log