diff --git a/xml.go b/xml.go
index 2abb039..b96b65e 100644
--- a/xml.go
+++ b/xml.go
@@ -288,7 +288,11 @@ func mapToXmlIndent(doIndent bool, s *string, key string, value interface{}, pp
 		return nil
 	case nil:
 		// terminate the tag
+		if doIndent {
+			*s += p.padding
+		}
 		*s += "<" + key
+		endTag, isSimple = true, true
 		break
 	default: // handle anything - even goofy stuff
 		elen = 0