diff --git a/player/lua/select.lua b/player/lua/select.lua
index c3f2f3c077..2ad997b207 100644
--- a/player/lua/select.lua
+++ b/player/lua/select.lua
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ mp.add_forced_key_binding(nil, "select-subtitle-line", function ()
     for line in r.stdout:gsub("<.->", ""):gsub("{\\.-}", ""):gmatch("[^\n]+") do
         sub_lines[#sub_lines + 1] = line:sub(2):gsub("]", " ", 1)
 
-        if line:find("^" .. sub_start) then
+        if line:find("^%[" .. sub_start) then
             default_item = #sub_lines
         end
     end