diff --git a/org.springframework.core/src/main/java/org/springframework/util/PropertyPlaceholderHelper.java b/org.springframework.core/src/main/java/org/springframework/util/PropertyPlaceholderHelper.java
index 9ec877213f6..4b1b2c37b12 100644
--- a/org.springframework.core/src/main/java/org/springframework/util/PropertyPlaceholderHelper.java
+++ b/org.springframework.core/src/main/java/org/springframework/util/PropertyPlaceholderHelper.java
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ public class PropertyPlaceholderHelper {
 			if (StringUtils.substringMatch(buf, index, this.placeholderSuffix)) {
 				if (withinNestedPlaceholder > 0) {
 					withinNestedPlaceholder--;
-					index = index + this.placeholderPrefix.length() - 1;
+					index = index + this.placeholderSuffix.length();
 				}
 				else {
 					return index;