diff --git a/src/hb-ot-shape-complex-khmer-machine.rl b/src/hb-ot-shape-complex-khmer-machine.rl
index 6ab3160ee..d628cea2e 100644
--- a/src/hb-ot-shape-complex-khmer-machine.rl
+++ b/src/hb-ot-shape-complex-khmer-machine.rl
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ c = (C | Ra | V);		# is_consonant
 n = ((ZWNJ?.RS)? (N.N?)?);	# is_consonant_modifier
 z = ZWJ|ZWNJ;			# is_joiner
 
-cn = c.ZWJ?.n?;
+cn = c.n?;
 matra_group = z?.M.N?;
 syllable_tail = (SM.SM?)? A{0,3}?;