diff --git a/display-posts-shortcode.php b/display-posts-shortcode.php
index 568f126..b103714 100644
--- a/display-posts-shortcode.php
+++ b/display-posts-shortcode.php
@@ -553,9 +553,9 @@ function be_display_posts_shortcode( $atts ) {
 				$excerpt = get_the_excerpt();
 			}
 
-			$excerpt = '<span class="excerpt">' . $excerpt . '</span>';
+			$excerpt = ' <span class="excerpt">' . $excerpt . '</span>';
 			if ( $include_excerpt_dash ) {
-				$excerpt = '<span class="excerpt-dash">-</span> ' . $excerpt;
+				$excerpt = ' <span class="excerpt-dash">-</span>' . $excerpt;
 			}
 		}