diff --git a/lisp/org-element.el b/lisp/org-element.el
index 1d09a2020..baccaba37 100644
--- a/lisp/org-element.el
+++ b/lisp/org-element.el
@@ -3971,7 +3971,7 @@ element it has to parse."
 		       (cond
 			;; Must end with a full rule.
 			((not (re-search-forward non-table.el-line limit 'move))
-			 (beginning-of-line)
+			 (if (bolp) (forward-line -1) (beginning-of-line))
 			 (looking-at rule-regexp))
 			;; Ignore pseudo-tables with a single
 			;; rule.