diff --git a/doc/api/api_changes/2015-05-08_mathtext_spacing.rst b/doc/api/api_changes/2015-05-08_mathtext_spacing.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+Improved spacing in mathtext
+````````````````````````````
+
+The extra space that appeared after subscripts and superscripts has
+been removed.
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/mathtext.py b/lib/matplotlib/mathtext.py
@@ -2738,7 +2738,7 @@ def subsuper(self, s, loc, toks):
             x.shift_amount = shift_down
         else:
             super.shrink()
-            x = Hlist([super, Kern(SCRIPT_SPACE * xHeight)])
+            x = Hlist([super])
             # x.width += SCRIPT_SPACE * xHeight
             clr = SUP1 * xHeight
             shift_up = max(shift_up, clr)

diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/baseline_images/test_axes/symlog.pdf b/lib/matplotlib/tests/baseline_images/test_axes/symlog.pdf