diff --git a/src/dragonglass/mparse.py b/src/dragonglass/mparse.py
index 5ad5fed..a7d26f5 100644
--- a/src/dragonglass/mparse.py
+++ b/src/dragonglass/mparse.py
@@ -409,6 +409,9 @@ class ObsidianLists(Extension):
         """
         m = self.UL_RE.match(line)
         if m:
+            if line.lstrip() == '* * *':
+                # this is actually a horizontal rule, don't trip on it
+                return '', -1, -1
             return 'ul', len(m.group(1)), -1
         m = self.OL_RE.match(line)
         if m: