diff --git a/lib/jekyll/tags/highlight.rb b/lib/jekyll/tags/highlight.rb
index adf6bcd7..5af5f2bd 100644
--- a/lib/jekyll/tags/highlight.rb
+++ b/lib/jekyll/tags/highlight.rb
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ eos
       def render(context)
         prefix = context["highlighter_prefix"] || ""
         suffix = context["highlighter_suffix"] || ""
-        code = super.to_s.gsub(/^(\n|\r)+|(\n|\r)+$/, '')
+        code = super.to_s.gsub(/\A(\n|\r)+|(\n|\r)+\z/, '')
 
         is_safe = !!context.registers[:site].safe