diff --git a/Lib/formatter.py b/Lib/formatter.py
index 67d2b16e9a76..9ff03b557b7d 100644
--- a/Lib/formatter.py
+++ b/Lib/formatter.py
@@ -109,6 +109,11 @@ def add_literal_data(self, data):
 	self.nospace = self.softspace = 0
 	self.writer.send_literal_data(data)
 
+    def flush_softspace(self):
+	if self.softspace:
+	    self.nospace = self.softspace = 0
+	    self.writer.send_flowing_data(' ')
+
     def push_font(self, (size, i, b, tt)):
 	if self.font_stack:
 	    csize, ci, cb, ctt = self.font_stack[-1]