diff --git a/lib/convert.js b/lib/convert.js
index 3f5c78b..6a95cbe 100644
--- a/lib/convert.js
+++ b/lib/convert.js
@@ -149,8 +149,8 @@ function getBodyXml(chapter, contentEl) {
   // Fix recurring broken-up or erroneous <em>s
   xml = xml.replace(/<\/em>‘s/g, "’s</em>")
   xml = xml.replace(/<\/em><em>/g, "");
-  xml = xml.replace(/<em>([^A-Za-z])<\/em>/g, "$1");
-  xml = xml.replace(/<\/em>\.  <em>/g, ".  ");
+  xml = xml.replace(/<em>(\s?\s?[^A-Za-z]\s?\s?)<\/em>/g, "$1");
+  xml = xml.replace(/<\/em>(\s?\s?[^A-Za-z]\s?\s?)<em>/g, "$1");
   xml = xml.replace(/“<em>([^>]+)<\/em>(!|\?|\.)”/g, "“<em>$1$2<\/em>”");
 
   // Fix recurring poor closing quotes