diff --git a/Shorewall/Perl/Shorewall/Rules.pm b/Shorewall/Perl/Shorewall/Rules.pm
index 5ca505454..e8df13852 100644
--- a/Shorewall/Perl/Shorewall/Rules.pm
+++ b/Shorewall/Perl/Shorewall/Rules.pm
@@ -2385,7 +2385,7 @@ sub process_rule1 ( $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ) {
 	    }
 
 	fatal_error "$basictarget rules are not allowed in the $section SECTION" if $actiontype & ( NATRULE | NONAT );
-	$rule .= "$globals{STATEMATCH} ESTABLISHED" if $section == ESTABLISHED_SECTION;
+	$rule .= "$globals{STATEMATCH} ESTABLISHED " if $section == ESTABLISHED_SECTION;
     }
     #
     # Generate CT rules(s), if any