diff --git a/helix-term/src/commands.rs b/helix-term/src/commands.rs
index 57df47a7..ca977f80 100644
--- a/helix-term/src/commands.rs
+++ b/helix-term/src/commands.rs
@@ -3738,8 +3738,11 @@ fn surround_replace(cx: &mut Context) {
                     let transaction = Transaction::change(
                         doc.text(),
                         change_pos.iter().enumerate().map(|(i, &pos)| {
-                            let ch = if i % 2 == 0 { open } else { close };
-                            (pos, pos + 1, Some(Tendril::from_char(ch)))
+                            if i % 2 == 0 {
+                                (pos, pos + 1, Some(Tendril::from_char(open)))
+                            } else {
+                                (pos.saturating_sub(1), pos, Some(Tendril::from_char(close)))
+                            }
                         }),
                     );
                     doc.apply(&transaction, view.id);