diff --git a/src/util-parser.scm b/src/util-parser.scm
index 40f49ac..24e05ed 100644
--- a/src/util-parser.scm
+++ b/src/util-parser.scm
@@ -63,7 +63,8 @@ Returns a string representing the preprocessed line.")
 		      (ploop (add1 pidx)))))
 	  (hpos (let hloop ((hidx ppos))
 		  (if (or (= hidx llen)
-			  (and strip-comments?
+			  (and (or strip-comments?
+				   (= hidx 0))
 			       (eq? (string-ref line hidx) #\#)))
 		      hidx
 		      (hloop (add1 hidx)))))