diff --git a/tex/generic/pgf/systemlayer/pgfsys-common-pdf.def b/tex/generic/pgf/systemlayer/pgfsys-common-pdf.def
index 765ffc840..e1ad4e702 100644
--- a/tex/generic/pgf/systemlayer/pgfsys-common-pdf.def
+++ b/tex/generic/pgf/systemlayer/pgfsys-common-pdf.def
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@
       \pgferror{Unknown blend mode '#1'}%
       \def\pgf@temp{Normal}%
     \fi%
-    \edef\pgf@temp{/pgf@bm\pgf@temp << /BM [ /\pgf@temp ] >>}%<<
+    \edef\pgf@temp{/pgf@bm\pgf@temp << /BM /\pgf@temp >>}%<<
     \expandafter\pgfutil@addpdfresource@extgs\expandafter{\pgf@temp}%
   \fi%
   \pgfsysprotocol@literal{\csname pgf@sys@pdf@bm@#1\endcsname\space gs}%