diff --git a/theme/placeholder.css b/theme/placeholder.css
index cd73940b8..a16a9f47b 100644
--- a/theme/placeholder.css
+++ b/theme/placeholder.css
@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@
  */
 
 /* See ckeditor/ckeditor5#936. */
-.ck.ck-placeholder, .ck .ck-placeholder {
+.ck.ck-placeholder,
+.ck .ck-placeholder {
 	&::before {
 		content: attr(data-placeholder);
 
@@ -12,3 +13,10 @@
 		pointer-events: none;
 	}
 }
+
+/* See ckeditor/ckeditor5#1987. */
+.ck.ck-read-only .ck-placeholder {
+	&::before {
+		display: none;
+	}
+}