diff --git a/modules/Markov.py b/modules/Markov.py
index 8e9f25b..d966b2f 100644
--- a/modules/Markov.py
+++ b/modules/Markov.py
@@ -409,7 +409,7 @@ class Markov(Module):
                 self.log.debug("gen_words: {0:s}".format(" ".join(gen_words)))
 
                 # tack a new chain onto the list and resume if we're too short
-                if gen_words[-1] == self.stop and len(gen_words) < min_size + 2:
+                if gen_words[-1] == self.stop and len(gen_words) < min_size + 3:
                     self.log.debug("starting a new chain on end of old one")
 
                     # chop off the end text, if it was the keyword indicating an end of chain