diff --git a/parsers/survex.py b/parsers/survex.py
index 3f490ea..e5d6e5f 100644
--- a/parsers/survex.py
+++ b/parsers/survex.py
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ def RecursiveLoad(survexblock, survexfile, fin, textlines):
             continue
         
         # detect the star command
-        mstar = re.match('\s*\*(\w+)\s*(.*?)\s*(?:;.*)?$', sline)
+        mstar = re.match('\s*\*\s*(\w+)\s*(.*?)\s*(?:;.*)?$', sline)
         if not mstar:
             if "from" in stardata:
                 LoadSurvexLineLeg(survexblock, stardata, sline, comment)