diff --git a/runtime/runtime.c b/runtime/runtime.c
index 956536d60..de23bf06d 100644
--- a/runtime/runtime.c
+++ b/runtime/runtime.c
@@ -1266,7 +1266,7 @@ extern aint Lread () {
   // int result = BOX(0);
   aint result = BOX(0);
 
-  printf("> ");
+  printf(" > ");
   fflush(stdout);
   scanf("%" SCNdAI, &result);
 
diff --git a/runtime32/runtime.c b/runtime32/runtime.c
index 14dcda540..37dd4a3b7 100644
--- a/runtime32/runtime.c
+++ b/runtime32/runtime.c
@@ -1474,7 +1474,7 @@ extern void* Ltl (void *v) {
 extern int Lread () {
   int result = BOX(0);
 
-  printf ("> ");
+  printf (" > ");
   fflush (stdout);
   scanf  ("%d", &result);