--- loncom/xml/londefdef.pm	2005/11/03 21:58:11	1.292
+++ loncom/xml/londefdef.pm	2005/11/08 02:04:23	1.293
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # The LearningOnline Network with CAPA
 # Tags Default Definition Module 
 #
-# $Id: londefdef.pm,v 1.292 2005/11/03 21:58:11 albertel Exp $
+# $Id: londefdef.pm,v 1.293 2005/11/08 02:04:23 albertel Exp $
 # 
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
@@ -110,8 +110,8 @@ sub start_m {
 	# detect simple math mode entry exits, and convert them
         # to use \ensuremath
 	if ($currentstring=~/^\s*\$[^\$].*[^\$]\$\s*$/) {
-	    $currentstring=~s/^\$//;
-	    $currentstring=~s/\$$//;
+	    $currentstring=~s/^(\s*)\$/$1/;
+	    $currentstring=~s/\$(\s*)$/$1/;
 	    $currentstring='\ensuremath{'.$currentstring.'}';
 	}
 	$Apache::lonxml::post_evaluate=0;