diff --git a/src/parser3.h b/src/parser3.h
index de8c640..4f7e9d8 100644
--- a/src/parser3.h
+++ b/src/parser3.h
@@ -446,13 +446,25 @@ inline PRESERVE_NONE WeaselJsonStatus n_object3(Parser3 *self, char *buf,
     assert(!self->inKey);
     self->inKey = true;
     self->pop();
-    if (auto s = self->push({N_STRING, T_COLON, N_VALUE, N_OBJECT3})) {
+    if (auto s = skipWhitespace(buf, bufEnd)) {
+      if (auto s2 = self->push({N_STRING, T_COLON, N_VALUE, N_OBJECT3})) {
+        return s2;
+      }
+      return s;
+    }
+    if (*buf != '"') [[unlikely]] {
+      return WeaselJson_REJECT;
+    }
+    ++buf;
+    self->dataBegin = self->writeBuf = buf;
+    self->strDfa.reset();
+    if (auto s = self->push({N_STRING2, T_COLON, N_VALUE, N_OBJECT3})) {
       return s;
     }
     if (buf == bufEnd) {
       return WeaselJson_AGAIN;
     }
-    MUSTTAIL return n_string(self, buf, bufEnd);
+    MUSTTAIL return n_string2(self, buf, bufEnd);
   default:
     [[unlikely]] return WeaselJson_REJECT;
   }