diff --git a/jquery.editable.js b/jquery.editable.js
index b58244d..5e581f2 100644
--- a/jquery.editable.js
+++ b/jquery.editable.js
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@
       if(trigger !== target) trigger.hide();
       var old_value = (
         type === 'textarea' ?
-          target.text().replace(/<br( \/)?>/gm, '\n').replace(/&gt;/gm, '>').replace(/&lt;/gm, '<') :
+          target.html().replace(/[\r\n]/gm, '').replace(/<br( \/)?>/gm, '\n').replace(/&gt;/gm, '>').replace(/&lt;/gm, '<') :
           target.text()
       ).replace(/^\s+/,'').replace(/\s+$/,'');