diff --git a/luamml-convert.lua b/luamml-convert.lua
index 5500f9e..d120534 100644
--- a/luamml-convert.lua
+++ b/luamml-convert.lua
@@ -382,8 +382,7 @@ function nodes_to_table(head, cur_style)
   end
   -- In TeX, groups are never space like
   if core == space_like then
-    core = {[0] = 'mi', intent = '@ignore'}
-    result[#result+1] = core
+    result[#result+1] = {[0] = 'mi', intent = '@ignore'}
   end
   if t[0] == 'mrow' and #t == 1 then
     assert(t == result)