diff --git a/src/richtext/richtextbuffer.cpp b/src/richtext/richtextbuffer.cpp
index 7f30af716e..0a12324254 100644
--- a/src/richtext/richtextbuffer.cpp
+++ b/src/richtext/richtextbuffer.cpp
@@ -3887,6 +3887,7 @@ bool wxRichTextParagraph::Layout(wxDC& dc, const wxRect& rect, int style)
     int lineHeight = 0;
     int maxWidth = 0;
     int maxDescent = 0;
+    int maxAscent = 0;
     int lineCount = 0;
 
     wxRichTextObjectList::compatibility_iterator node;
@@ -4017,8 +4018,9 @@ bool wxRichTextParagraph::Layout(wxDC& dc, const wxRect& rect, int style)
 #endif
 
             currentWidth = actualSize.x;
-            lineHeight = wxMax(lineHeight, actualSize.y);
             maxDescent = wxMax(childDescent, maxDescent);
+            maxAscent = wxMax(actualSize.y-childDescent, maxAscent);
+            lineHeight = maxDescent + maxAscent;
 
             // Add a new line
             wxRichTextLine* line = AllocateLine(lineCount);
@@ -4034,6 +4036,7 @@ bool wxRichTextParagraph::Layout(wxDC& dc, const wxRect& rect, int style)
             currentPosition.y += lineSpacing;
             currentWidth = 0;
             maxDescent = 0;
+            maxAscent = 0;
             maxWidth = wxMax(maxWidth, currentWidth);
 
             lineCount ++;
@@ -4057,8 +4060,9 @@ bool wxRichTextParagraph::Layout(wxDC& dc, const wxRect& rect, int style)
         {
             // We still fit, so don't add a line, and keep going
             currentWidth += childSize.x;
-            lineHeight = wxMax(lineHeight, childSize.y);
             maxDescent = wxMax(childDescent, maxDescent);
+            maxAscent = wxMax(childSize.y-childDescent, maxAscent);
+            lineHeight = maxDescent + maxAscent;
 
             maxWidth = wxMax(maxWidth, currentWidth);
             lastEndPos = child->GetRange().GetEnd();