diff --git a/autoload/ack.vim b/autoload/ack.vim
index 12841fd6..6014ad13 100644
--- a/autoload/ack.vim
+++ b/autoload/ack.vim
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ function! s:highlight(args)
     return
   endif
 
-  let @/ = matchstr(a:args, "\\v\\w+\>|['\"]\\zs[^\"]+\\ze['\"]")
+  let @/ = matchstr(a:args, "\\v\\zs[^- ]\\w+\>|['\"]\\zs[^\"]+\\ze['\"]")
   call feedkeys(":let &l:hlsearch=1 \| echo \<CR>", "n")
 endfunction