diff --git a/autoload/airline/extensions/readonly.vim b/autoload/airline/extensions/readonly.vim
index 44390306..13d28770 100644
--- a/autoload/airline/extensions/readonly.vim
+++ b/autoload/airline/extensions/readonly.vim
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ function! airline#extensions#readonly#get_mark()
 endfunction
 
 function! airline#extensions#readonly#init()
-  let g:airline_section_gutter = '%{airline#extensions#readonly#get_mark()}'
+  let g:airline_section_gutter = ' %{airline#extensions#readonly#get_mark()} '
         \ .g:airline_section_gutter
 endfunction