diff --git a/bookwyrm/models/user.py b/bookwyrm/models/user.py
index 4cbe387f4..afba0b3a0 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/models/user.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/models/user.py
@@ -170,6 +170,7 @@ class User(OrderedCollectionPageMixin, AbstractUser):
     def save(self, *args, **kwargs):
         ''' populate fields for new local users '''
         # this user already exists, no need to populate fields
+        print(self.username)
         if not self.local and not re.match(regex.full_username, self.username):
             # generate a username that uses the domain (webfinger format)
             actor_parts = urlparse(self.remote_id)
diff --git a/bookwyrm/utils/regex.py b/bookwyrm/utils/regex.py
index b087b5649..c818bc415 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/utils/regex.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/utils/regex.py
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 ''' defining regexes for regularly used concepts '''
 
 domain = r'[\w_\-\.]+\.[a-z]{2,}'
-localname = r'@?[a-zA-Z_\-\.0-9]+\b'
+localname = r'@?[a-zA-Z_\-\.0-9]+'
 strict_localname = r'@[a-zA-Z_\-\.0-9]+'
 username = r'%s(@%s)?' % (localname, domain)
 strict_username = r'\B%s(@%s)?\b' % (strict_localname, domain)
-full_username = r'\B%s@%s\b' % (localname, domain)
+full_username = r'%s@%s\b' % (localname, domain)
 # should match (BookWyrm/1.0.0; or (BookWyrm/99.1.2;
 bookwyrm_user_agent = r'\(BookWyrm/[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+;'
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views.py b/bookwyrm/views.py
index f1851da84..5c5934ddb 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views.py
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ def search(request):
         return JsonResponse([r.json() for r in book_results], safe=False)
 
     # use webfinger for mastodon style account@domain.com username
-    if re.match(regex.full_username, query):
+    if re.match(r'\B%s' % regex.full_username, query):
         outgoing.handle_remote_webfinger(query)
 
     # do a local user search