diff --git a/plugin/makecols.vim b/plugin/makecols.vim
index 76de532..359e3f4 100644
--- a/plugin/makecols.vim
+++ b/plugin/makecols.vim
@@ -21,10 +21,14 @@ function! s:get_visual_selection()
 
     for i in lines
         " start combining
-        if (i % no_of_cols)
-            let new_string = join([new_string, lines[i]], "\t")
+        if (i == 0)
+            let new_string = lines[0]
         else
-            let new_string = join([new_string, "\n"])
+            if (i % no_of_cols)
+                let new_string = join([new_string, lines[i]], "\t")
+            else
+                let new_string = join([new_string, lines[i]], "\n")
+            endif
         endif
     endfor