diff --git a/procps/watch.c b/procps/watch.c
index f446ec918..ad44b3a3e 100644
--- a/procps/watch.c
+++ b/procps/watch.c
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ int watch_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 				strftime(header + width - time_len, time_len,
 					"%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S", localtime(&t));
 
-			puts(header);
+			printf("%s\n\n", header); /* compat: empty line */
 		}
 		fflush_all();
 		// TODO: 'real' watch pipes cmd's output to itself