diff --git a/src/npc.cpp b/src/npc.cpp
index 3f77e647d08bd..23bc977a44e15 100644
--- a/src/npc.cpp
+++ b/src/npc.cpp
@@ -946,7 +946,6 @@ void npc::do_npc_read()
     book = book.obtain( *npc_character );
     if( can_read( *book, fail_reasons ) ) {
         add_msg_if_player_sees( pos(), _( "%s starts reading." ), disp_name() );
-        }
 
         // NPCs can't read to other NPCs yet
         const int time_taken = time_to_read( *book, *this );