diff --git a/src/util/virlog.c b/src/util/virlog.c
index 957d993a3b..721c9bd444 100644
--- a/src/util/virlog.c
+++ b/src/util/virlog.c
@@ -850,6 +850,7 @@ virLogVMessage(virLogSource source,
      */
     virLogLock();
     virLogStr(timestamp);
+    virLogStr(": ");
     virLogStr(msg);
     virLogUnlock();
     if (emit == 0)