diff --git a/src/lint/collect-spelling-diagnostics.ts b/src/lint/collect-spelling-diagnostics.ts
index 4f9af34f..f2e6da1d 100644
--- a/src/lint/collect-spelling-diagnostics.ts
+++ b/src/lint/collect-spelling-diagnostics.ts
@@ -65,6 +65,10 @@ let matchers = [
     message:
       'clauses should be referenced using <emu-xref> tags rather than hardcoding clause numbers',
   },
+  {
+    pattern: /(?<=[^ \n]) +<\/p>/gu,
+    message: '<p> tags should not contain trailing whitespace',
+  },
 ];
 
 export function collectSpellingDiagnostics(
diff --git a/test/lint-spelling.js b/test/lint-spelling.js
index 90fc2bf1..3dfc9659 100644
--- a/test/lint-spelling.js
+++ b/test/lint-spelling.js
@@ -211,6 +211,19 @@ windows:${M}\r
     );
   });
 
+  it('<p> trailing whitespace', async function () {
+    await assertLint(
+      positioned`
+        <p>This is an example:${M} </p>
+      `,
+      {
+        ruleId: 'spelling',
+        nodeType: 'html',
+        message: '<p> tags should not contain trailing whitespace',
+      }
+    );
+  });
+
   it('negative', async function () {
     await assertLintFree(`
       <p>
@@ -240,6 +253,10 @@ windows:${M}\r
       </tr></table>
 
       <p>See clause <emu-xref href="#example"></emu-xref>.</p>
+
+      <p>
+        Paragraphs with the open/close tags on their own line are OK.
+      </p>
     `);
   });
 });