diff --git a/tabulate/__init__.py b/tabulate/__init__.py
index 12a2950..94ef275 100644
--- a/tabulate/__init__.py
+++ b/tabulate/__init__.py
@@ -1658,7 +1658,6 @@ def _wrap_text_to_colwidths(
                 wrapped = [
                     "\n".join(wrapper.wrap(line))
                     for line in casted_cell.splitlines()
-                    if line.strip() != ""
                 ]
                 new_row.append("\n".join(wrapped))
             else:
diff --git a/test/test_regression.py b/test/test_regression.py
index 9555676..fbeb076 100644
--- a/test/test_regression.py
+++ b/test/test_regression.py
@@ -504,6 +504,22 @@ def test_preserve_line_breaks_with_maxcolwidths():
     assert_equal(expected, result)
 
 
+def test_preserve_blank_lines_with_maxcolwidths():
+    "Regression: keep blank lines when wrapping cells (github issue #440)"
+    table = [["foo\n\nbar"]]
+    expected = "\n".join(
+        [
+            "+-----+",
+            "| foo |",
+            "|     |",
+            "| bar |",
+            "+-----+",
+        ]
+    )
+    result = tabulate(table, tablefmt="grid", maxcolwidths=10)
+    assert_equal(expected, result)
+
+
 def test_maxcolwidths_accepts_list_or_tuple():
     "Regression: maxcolwidths can accept a list or a tuple (github issue #214)"
     table = [["lorem ipsum dolor sit amet"] * 3]