diff --git a/src/parser/util.rs b/src/parser/util.rs
index 6625b865..c9314c1d 100644
--- a/src/parser/util.rs
+++ b/src/parser/util.rs
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ use nom::combinator::not;
 use nom::combinator::opt;
 use nom::combinator::peek;
 use nom::combinator::recognize;
+use nom::combinator::verify;
 use nom::multi::many0;
 use nom::multi::many_till;
 use nom::sequence::tuple;
@@ -91,11 +92,15 @@ pub fn maybe_consume_object_trailing_whitespace_if_not_exiting<'b, 'g, 'r, 's>(
     context: RefContext<'b, 'g, 'r, 's>,
     input: OrgSource<'s>,
 ) -> Res<OrgSource<'s>, Option<OrgSource<'s>>> {
-    if exit_matcher_parser(context, input).is_err() {
-        opt(space0)(input)
-    } else {
-        Ok((input, None))
-    }
+    // We have to check exit matcher after each character because description list tags need to end with a space unconsumed (" ::").
+    let (remaining, _) = many_till(
+        verify(anychar, |c| *c == ' '),
+        alt((
+            peek(recognize(verify(anychar, |c| *c != ' '))),
+            parser_with_context!(exit_matcher_parser)(context),
+        )),
+    )(input)?;
+    Ok((remaining, None))
 }
 
 #[cfg_attr(feature = "tracing", tracing::instrument(ret, level = "debug"))]