diff --git a/tools/server/server-models.cpp b/tools/server/server-models.cpp
index f1783c0830..4984f1be68 100644
--- a/tools/server/server-models.cpp
+++ b/tools/server/server-models.cpp
@@ -1786,7 +1786,10 @@ void server_child::notify_to_router(const std::string & state, const json & payl
     std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lk(mtx_stdout);
     common_log_pause(common_log_main());
     fflush(stdout);
-    fprintf(stdout, "%s%s\n", CMD_CHILD_TO_ROUTER_STATE, safe_json_to_str(data).c_str());
+    // the router matches the command on a line prefix, so the leading newline
+    // closes whatever the logger left open on the shared pipe, down to the
+    // trailing color reset that carries no newline of its own
+    fprintf(stdout, "\n%s%s\n", CMD_CHILD_TO_ROUTER_STATE, safe_json_to_str(data).c_str());
     fflush(stdout);
     common_log_resume(common_log_main());
 }