diff --git a/files/helpers/regex.py b/files/helpers/regex.py
index da1646f46..d5ff3fbef 100644
--- a/files/helpers/regex.py
+++ b/files/helpers/regex.py
@@ -9,6 +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)
 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)
diff --git a/files/routes/chat.py b/files/routes/chat.py
index 3215f418b..f261e41f3 100644
--- a/files/routes/chat.py
+++ b/files/routes/chat.py
@@ -322,8 +322,8 @@ def messagereply(v):
 	execute_blackjack(v, c, c.body_html, 'chat')
 	execute_under_siege(v, c, c.body_html, 'chat')
 
-	if mention_regex.fullmatch(c.body):
-		uid = get_user(c.body[1:], attributes=[User.id]).id
+	if dm_adding_regex.fullmatch(c.body):
+		uid = get_user(c.body[2:], attributes=[User.id]).id
 		if uid not in parent.group_dm_ids:
 			parent.group_dm_ids.append(uid)
 			g.db.add(parent)