--- a/editor.lib2/src/org/netbeans/modules/editor/lib2/view/HighlightsViewFactory.java	Thu Jan 12 13:23:39 2012 -0600
+++ a/editor.lib2/src/org/netbeans/modules/editor/lib2/view/HighlightsViewFactory.java	Fri Jan 13 11:42:54 2012 -0600
@@ -173,12 +173,7 @@ 
             return new NewlineView(startOffset, attrs);
         } else { // Regular view with possible highlight(s) or tab view
             if (startOffset == nextTabOffset) { // Create TabView
-                int tabsEndOffset;
-                for (tabsEndOffset = nextTabOffset + 1; tabsEndOffset < lineEndOffset - 1; tabsEndOffset++) {
-                    if (docText.charAt(tabsEndOffset) != '\t') {
-                        break;
-                    }
-                }
+                int tabsEndOffset = nextTabOffset + 1;
                 AttributeSet attrs;
                 if (limitOffset < tabsEndOffset) {
                     attrs = hList.cut(limitOffset);