diff --git a/htsutils.c b/htsutils.c
index eb61e7a..76a9911 100644
--- a/htsutils.c
+++ b/htsutils.c
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ void hts_parse(hts_config_t *hts, aux_config_t *aux)
             polySize_tail = findPoly(hts->bam, 'T', POLY_HEAD);
             
             // define last base
-            base = hts->bam->core.pos;
+            base = hts->bam->core.pos + 1;
         }
         else
         {