diff --git a/pathauto.inc b/pathauto.inc
index 85c9a75..bacd4a5 100644
--- a/pathauto.inc
+++ b/pathauto.inc
@@ -237,14 +237,14 @@ function pathauto_clean_alias($alias) {
   // Trim duplicate, leading, and trailing back-slashes.
   $output = _pathauto_clean_separators($output, '/');
 
-  // Trim duplicate, leading, and trailing separators.
-  $output = _pathauto_clean_separators($output);
-
   // Enforce the maximum length.
   $separator = variable_get('pathauto_separator', '-');
   $maxlength = min(variable_get('pathauto_max_length', 100), _pathauto_get_schema_alias_maxlength());
   $output = drupal_substr($output, 0, $maxlength);
 
+  // Trim duplicate, leading, and trailing separators after it has been truncated.
+  $output = _pathauto_clean_separators($output);
+
   return $output;
 }