diff --git a/makeuser b/makeuser
index 136292a..0ea8e10 100755
--- a/makeuser
+++ b/makeuser
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ case $1 in
         sub_to_list "$1"
 
         printf "adding ssh pubkey\n"
-        printf %s "$3" | sudo tee "/home/$1/.ssh/authorized_keys"
+        printf "%s\n" "$3" | sudo tee "/home/$1/.ssh/authorized_keys"
 
         printf "\nannouncing new user on mastodon\n"
         /usr/local/bin/toot "welcome new user ~$1!"