diff --git a/src/nvim/statusline.c b/src/nvim/statusline.c
index 853f2e8a8a..51bafb4238 100644
--- a/src/nvim/statusline.c
+++ b/src/nvim/statusline.c
@@ -348,7 +348,7 @@ static void win_redr_stl_expr(win_T *wp, bool draw_winbar, bool draw_ruler, bool
       opt_scope = ((*wp->w_p_stl != NUL) ? OPT_LOCAL : 0);
     }
 
-    attr = win_hl_attr(wp, (int)group);
+    attr = draw_ruler && !in_status_line ? HL_ATTR(group) : win_hl_attr(wp, (int)group);
     if (!wp->w_floating && in_status_line && !is_stl_global) {
       col += wp->w_wincol;
     }
diff --git a/test/functional/ui/statusline_spec.lua b/test/functional/ui/statusline_spec.lua
index 0b676be6f9..c70015b78f 100644
--- a/test/functional/ui/statusline_spec.lua
+++ b/test/functional/ui/statusline_spec.lua
@@ -818,6 +818,15 @@ describe('statusline', function()
       {2:[No Name]             0,0-1          All}|
                             0,0-1         All |
     ]])
+    command('set rulerformat=%17(%l,%c%V%=%P%)')
+    screen:expect([[
+                                              |
+      {1:~}{15:^ }{1:                                      }|
+      {1:~                                       }|*4
+      {2:[No Name]              0,0-1         All}|
+                            0,0-1         All |
+    ]])
+    command('set rulerformat&')
     api.nvim_win_close(win, true)
     screen:expect([[
       ^                                        |