diff --git a/files/helpers/regex.py b/files/helpers/regex.py
index d5ff3fbef..77f078d01 100644
--- a/files/helpers/regex.py
+++ b/files/helpers/regex.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ valid_username_regex = re.compile("^[\w-]{3,25}$", flags=re.A)
 valid_username_patron_regex = re.compile("^[\w-]{1,25}$", flags=re.A)
 
 mention_regex = re.compile('(?<![:/\w])@([\w-]{1,30})' + NOT_IN_CODE_OR_LINKS, flags=re.A)
-dm_adding_regex = re.compile('+@[\w-]{1,30}' + NOT_IN_CODE_OR_LINKS, flags=re.A)
+dm_adding_regex = re.compile('\+@[\w-]{1,30}' + NOT_IN_CODE_OR_LINKS, flags=re.A)
 group_mention_regex = re.compile('(?<![:/\w])!([\w-]{3,25})' + NOT_IN_CODE_OR_LINKS, flags=re.A|re.I)
 
 everyone_regex = re.compile('(^|\s|>)!(everyone)' + NOT_IN_CODE_OR_LINKS, flags=re.A)