diff --git a/src/hb-ot-shape-complex-khmer-machine.rl b/src/hb-ot-shape-complex-khmer-machine.rl
index 89a12b07b..56ec0f298 100644
--- a/src/hb-ot-shape-complex-khmer-machine.rl
+++ b/src/hb-ot-shape-complex-khmer-machine.rl
@@ -63,8 +63,8 @@ halant_group = Coeng;
 halant_or_matra_group = (matra_group*) (Coeng (cn|V))?;
 
 
-consonant_syllable =	(c|PLACEHOLDER|DOTTEDCIRCLE).n? (halant_group.cn)* halant_or_matra_group syllable_tail;
 broken_cluster =	n? (halant_group.cn)* halant_or_matra_group syllable_tail;
+consonant_syllable =	(c|PLACEHOLDER|DOTTEDCIRCLE) broken_cluster;
 other =			any;
 
 main := |*