diff --git a/tests/data/Issue353_first_row_empty_w_properties.xlsx b/tests/data/Issue353_first_row_empty_w_properties.xlsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..65cdbe87
Binary files /dev/null and b/tests/data/Issue353_first_row_empty_w_properties.xlsx differ
diff --git a/tests/workbook/workbook_test_suite.cpp b/tests/workbook/workbook_test_suite.cpp
index 9f155087..f883e359 100644
--- a/tests/workbook/workbook_test_suite.cpp
+++ b/tests/workbook/workbook_test_suite.cpp
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@ public:
         register_test(test_id_gen);
         register_test(test_load_file);
         register_test(test_Issue279);
+        register_test(test_Issue353);
     }
 
     void test_active_sheet()
@@ -495,5 +496,18 @@ public:
         //save a copy file
         wb.save("temp.xlsx");
     }
+
+    void test_Issue353()
+    {
+        xlnt::workbook wb1;
+        wb1.load(path_helper::test_file("Issue353_first_row_empty_w_properties.xlsx"));
+        wb1.save("temp_issue353.xlsx");
+
+        xlnt::workbook wb2;
+        wb2.load("temp_issue353.xlsx");
+        auto ws = wb2.active_sheet();
+        xlnt_assert_equals(ws.row_properties(1).spans.get(), "1:8");
+        xlnt_assert_equals(ws.row_properties(17).spans.get(), "2:7");
+    }
 };
 static workbook_test_suite x;
\ No newline at end of file