diff --git a/jc/parsers/ls.py b/jc/parsers/ls.py
index bf2f046d..149617d4 100644
--- a/jc/parsers/ls.py
+++ b/jc/parsers/ls.py
@@ -235,8 +235,9 @@ def parse(data, raw=False, quiet=False):
     if not re.match(r'[-dclpsbDCMnP?]([-r][-w][-xsS]){2}([-r][-w][-xtT])[+]?', linedata[0]) \
        and linedata[0].endswith(':'):
         parent = linedata.pop(0)[:-1]
-        # Pop following total line
-        linedata.pop(0)
+        # Pop following total line if it exists
+        if re.match(r'total [0-9]+', linedata[0]):
+            linedata.pop(0)
 
     if linedata:
         # Check if -l was used to parse extra data