diff --git a/hledger/Hledger/Cli/Register.hs b/hledger/Hledger/Cli/Register.hs
index af4931455..aa943dc96 100644
--- a/hledger/Hledger/Cli/Register.hs
+++ b/hledger/Hledger/Cli/Register.hs
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ postingsReportItemAsText opts (mdate, menddate, mdesc, p, b) =
       bal = showMixedAmountWithoutPrice b
       (amtlines, ballines) = (lines amt, lines bal)
       (amtlen, ballen) = (length amtlines, length ballines)
-      numlines = max amtlen ballen
+      numlines = max 1 (max amtlen ballen)
       (amtfirstline:amtrest) = take numlines $ amtlines ++ repeat "" -- posting amount is top-aligned
       (balfirstline:balrest) = take numlines $ replicate (numlines - ballen) "" ++ ballines -- balance amount is bottom-aligned
       spacer = replicate (totalwidth - (amtwidth + 2 + balwidth)) ' '