diff --git a/basis/core-text/core-text.factor b/basis/core-text/core-text.factor
index ee3e7a1f8e..7e96b8b570 100644
--- a/basis/core-text/core-text.factor
+++ b/basis/core-text/core-text.factor
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ render-loc render-dim ;
     {
         [ >>width ]
         [ >>ascent ]
-        [ dup 0 < [ -1 * ] when >>descent ]
+        [ >>descent ]
         [ >>leading ]
     } spread ; inline