diff --git a/HashSyntax.py b/HashSyntax.py
index fc24b10..4e69ed7 100644
--- a/HashSyntax.py
+++ b/HashSyntax.py
@@ -24,6 +24,6 @@ def replace_hashes(self, edit, region):
         # Get the selected text
         s = self.view.substr(region)
         # Transform Ruby 1.8 hash syntax to 1.9
-        s = re.sub(r'([^\:])\:([a-zA-Z_0-9]+[\?\!]?)(\s*)=\>(\s*)', new_style_hash, s)
+        s = re.sub(r'([^\:]?)\:([a-zA-Z_0-9]+[\?\!]?)(\s*)=\>(\s*)', new_style_hash, s)
         # Replace the selection with transformed text
         self.view.replace(edit, region, s)