diff --git a/src/gajim.py b/src/gajim.py
index f7f60e74d..17c1a2755 100755
--- a/src/gajim.py
+++ b/src/gajim.py
@@ -1058,7 +1058,7 @@ class Interface:
 		#detects eg. *b* *bold* *bold bold* test *bold* *bold*! (*bold*)
 		#doesn't detect (it's a feature :P) * bold* *bold * * bold * test*bold*
 		formatting = r'(?<!\w)' r'\*[^\s*]' r'([^*]*[^\s*])?' r'\*(?!\w)|'\
-			r'(?<!\w)' r'/[^\s/]' r'([^/]*[^\s/])?' r'/(?!\w)|'\
+			r'(?<!\w|\<)' r'/[^\s/]' r'([^/]*[^\s/])?' r'/(?!\w)|'\
 			r'(?<!\w)' r'_[^\s_]' r'([^_]*[^\s_])?' r'_(?!\w)'
 
 		basic_pattern = links + mail + formatting