diff --git a/ChangeLog.adoc b/ChangeLog.adoc
index 7e580da6f..5146f6cd6 100644
--- a/ChangeLog.adoc
+++ b/ChangeLog.adoc
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ Bug fixes::
 
   * core: force key "return" to command "/input return" when migrating legacy keys
   * core: display actual key name and command with key kbd:[Alt+k], remove key kbd:[Alt+K] (grab raw key) and associated commands `/input grab_raw_key` and `/input grab_raw_key_command`
+  * core: check for newline characters in string_is_whitespace_char (issue #1968)
   * api: do not convert option name to lower case in API functions config_set_plugin and config_set_desc_plugin
   * irc: reply to a CTCP request sent to self nick (issue #1966)
   * irc: sent "QUIT" message to servers connected with TLS on `/upgrade`
diff --git a/src/core/wee-string.c b/src/core/wee-string.c
index 2f6a7b3e8..83ee9e63c 100644
--- a/src/core/wee-string.c
+++ b/src/core/wee-string.c
@@ -1312,7 +1312,7 @@ string_convert_escaped_chars (const char *string)
 }
 
 /*
- * Checks if first char of string is a whitespace (space or tab).
+ * Checks if first char of string is a whitespace (space, tab, newline or carriage return).
  *
  * Returns:
  *   1: first char is whitespace
@@ -1322,7 +1322,11 @@ string_convert_escaped_chars (const char *string)
 int
 string_is_whitespace_char (const char *string)
 {
-    return (string && ((string[0] == ' ') || string[0] == '\t')) ? 1 : 0;
+    return (string && (
+            (string[0] == ' ')
+            || (string[0] == '\t')
+            || (string[0] == '\n')
+            || (string[0] == '\r'))) ? 1 : 0;
 }
 
 /*
diff --git a/tests/unit/core/test-core-string.cpp b/tests/unit/core/test-core-string.cpp
index 876e71c0a..465276c66 100644
--- a/tests/unit/core/test-core-string.cpp
+++ b/tests/unit/core/test-core-string.cpp
@@ -1090,6 +1090,8 @@ TEST(CoreString, IsWhitespaceChar)
 
     LONGS_EQUAL(1, string_is_whitespace_char (" abc def"));
     LONGS_EQUAL(1, string_is_whitespace_char ("\tabc def"));
+    LONGS_EQUAL(1, string_is_whitespace_char ("\nabc def"));
+    LONGS_EQUAL(1, string_is_whitespace_char ("\rabc def"));
 }
 
 /*