diff --git a/content.py b/content.py
index 58fd6eeea..e198ce33f 100644
--- a/content.py
+++ b/content.py
@@ -1484,7 +1484,7 @@ def combine_textarea_lines(text: str) -> str:
         para = para.replace('\n', ' ')
         para = para.replace('  ', ' ')
         if ctr > 0:
-            result += '\n\n'
+            result += '</p><p>'
         result += para
         ctr += 1
     return result
diff --git a/tests.py b/tests.py
index 1570202c1..d2f5bf2ef 100644
--- a/tests.py
+++ b/tests.py
@@ -7424,7 +7424,7 @@ def _test_combine_lines():
     assert result == expected
 
     text = 'First line.\n\nSecond line.'
-    expected = text
+    expected = 'First line.</p><p>Second line.'
     result = combine_textarea_lines(text)
     if result != expected:
         print('expected: ' + expected)
@@ -7432,7 +7432,7 @@ def _test_combine_lines():
     assert result == expected
 
     text = 'First\nline.\n\nSecond\nline.'
-    expected = 'First line.\n\nSecond line.'
+    expected = 'First line.</p><p>Second line.'
     result = combine_textarea_lines(text)
     if result != expected:
         print('expected: ' + expected)
@@ -7441,7 +7441,7 @@ def _test_combine_lines():
 
     # with extra space
     text = 'First\nline.\n\nSecond \nline.'
-    expected = 'First line.\n\nSecond line.'
+    expected = 'First line.</p><p>Second line.'
     result = combine_textarea_lines(text)
     if result != expected:
         print('expected: ' + expected)