diff --git a/lisp/electric.el b/lisp/electric.el
index d02bcb4735b..d84faf5433f 100644
--- a/lisp/electric.el
+++ b/lisp/electric.el
@@ -385,6 +385,9 @@ If multiple rules match, only first one is executed.")
 (defvar electric-layout-allow-duplicate-newlines nil
   "If non-nil, allow duplication of `before' newlines.")
 
+(defvar electric-layout-allow-in-comment-or-string nil
+  "If non-nil, allow inserting newlines inside a comment or string.")
+
 (defun electric-layout-post-self-insert-function ()
   (when electric-layout-mode
     (electric-layout-post-self-insert-function-1)))
@@ -409,7 +412,10 @@ If multiple rules match, only first one is executed.")
                                 (goto-char pos)
                                 (funcall probe last-command-event))))
                          (when res (throw 'done res))))))))))
-    (when rule
+    (when (and rule
+               (or electric-layout-allow-in-comment-or-string
+                   ;; Not in a comment or string.
+                   (not (nth 8 (save-excursion (syntax-ppss pos))))))
       (goto-char pos)
       (when (functionp rule) (setq rule (funcall rule)))
       (dolist (sym (if (symbolp rule) (list rule) rule))