diff --git a/lib/rdoc/markdown.kpeg b/lib/rdoc/markdown.kpeg
index 7a18d7867f..f1853edd60 100644
--- a/lib/rdoc/markdown.kpeg
+++ b/lib/rdoc/markdown.kpeg
@@ -1237,7 +1237,7 @@ DefinitionListItem = ( DefinitionListLabel+ ):label
                        list_items
                      }
 
-DefinitionListLabel = StrChunk:label @Sp @Newline
+DefinitionListLabel = Inline:label @Sp @Newline
                       { label }
 
 DefinitionListDefinition = @NonindentSpace ":" @Space Inlines:a @BlankLine+
diff --git a/test/rdoc/test_rdoc_markdown.rb b/test/rdoc/test_rdoc_markdown.rb
index dd6f312fa9..31d5b068f9 100644
--- a/test/rdoc/test_rdoc_markdown.rb
+++ b/test/rdoc/test_rdoc_markdown.rb
@@ -305,6 +305,25 @@ def test_parse_definition_list_multi_line
     assert_equal expected, doc
   end
 
+  def test_parse_definition_list_rich_label
+    doc = parse <<-MD
+`one`
+:    This is a definition
+
+**two**
+:    This is another definition
+    MD
+
+    expected = doc(
+      list(:NOTE,
+        item(%w[<code>one</code>],
+          para("This is a definition")),
+        item(%w[*two*],
+          para("This is another definition"))))
+
+    assert_equal expected, doc
+  end
+
   def test_parse_definition_list_no
     @parser.definition_lists = false