diff --git a/src/parser3.h b/src/parser3.h
index e9bfac6..5ba8c08 100644
--- a/src/parser3.h
+++ b/src/parser3.h
@@ -788,18 +788,20 @@ inline PRESERVE_NONE WeaselJsonStatus scan_string_impl(Parser3 *self,
                                                        char *bufEnd) {
   const auto before = buf;
 
-  // Advance buf past normal characters
-  for (;;) {
-    if (bufEnd - buf < V::lanes) [[unlikely]] {
-      break;
-    }
-    auto v = V{(int8_t *)buf};
-    int normal =
-        (v != V::splat('"') & v != V::splat('\\') & v >= V::splat(0x20))
-            .count_leading_nonzero_lanes();
-    buf += normal;
-    if (normal < V::lanes) {
-      break;
+  // Advance buf past characters that transition the accept state to itself
+  if (self->strDfa.accept()) {
+    for (;;) {
+      if (bufEnd - buf < V::lanes) [[unlikely]] {
+        break;
+      }
+      auto v = V{(int8_t *)buf};
+      int normal =
+          (v != V::splat('"') & v != V::splat('\\') & v >= V::splat(0x20))
+              .count_leading_nonzero_lanes();
+      buf += normal;
+      if (normal < V::lanes) {
+        break;
+      }
     }
   }