diff --git a/lisp/dired.el b/lisp/dired.el
index 71e4dd35d19..6aebd08d487 100644
--- a/lisp/dired.el
+++ b/lisp/dired.el
@@ -701,7 +701,7 @@ If HDR is non-nil, insert a header line with the directory name."
     ;; If we used --dired and it worked, the lines are already indented.
     ;; Otherwise, indent them.
     (unless (save-excursion
-	      (forward-line -1)
+	      (beginning-of-buffer)
 	      (looking-at "  "))
       (let ((indent-tabs-mode nil))
 	(indent-rigidly opoint (point) 2)))