diff --git a/js/interface_home.js b/js/interface_home.js
index 784a18a..f20f706 100644
--- a/js/interface_home.js
+++ b/js/interface_home.js
@@ -47,7 +47,8 @@ var InterfaceFunctions = function()
         getFullname( defaultScreenName, $miniProfile.find(".mini-profile-name") );
         getAvatar( defaultScreenName, $miniProfile.find(".mini-profile-photo").find("img") );
         getPostsCount( defaultScreenName,  $miniProfile.find(".posts-count") );
-        getFollowers( defaultScreenName, $miniProfile.find(".followers-count") );
+
+        updateFollowers();
 
         loadFollowing( function(args) {
                      $(".mini-profile .following-count").text(followingUsers.length-1);
@@ -81,6 +82,13 @@ var InterfaceFunctions = function()
         });
     }
 
+    function updateFollowers()
+    {
+        getFollowers( defaultScreenName, $(".mini-profile .followers-count") );
+        // update followers every 10 minutes
+        setTimeout(updateFollowers, 10*60*1000);
+    }
+
     function updateFollowSuggestion()
     {
         $('.follow-suggestions').empty();
diff --git a/js/twister_following.js b/js/twister_following.js
index 4fc54c2..4bb1ec3 100644
--- a/js/twister_following.js
+++ b/js/twister_following.js
@@ -367,16 +367,26 @@ function userSearchKeypress(item) {
         // Enter pressed
         var dummy = $('<a></a>');
         if (prefix == '#') { // hashtag
-            dummy.attr('href', $.MAL.hashtagUrl(partialName));
-            dummy.text('#' + partialName);
-            openHashtagModal.call(dummy.get(0), item);
+            partialName = _extractHashtag(partialName);
+            if (partialName) {
+                dummy.attr('href', $.MAL.hashtagUrl(partialName));
+                dummy.text('#' + partialName);
+                openHashtagModal.call(dummy.get(0), item);
+            }
         } else { // username
-            dummy.attr('href', $.MAL.userUrl(partialName));
-            openProfileModal.call(dummy.get(0), item);
+            partialName = _extractUsername(partialName);
+            if (partialName) {
+                dummy.attr('href', $.MAL.userUrl(partialName));
+                openProfileModal.call(dummy.get(0), item);
+            }
         }
         return false;
     }
 
+    if (prefix == '#') { // hashtag
+        return false;
+    }
+
     //var partialName = item.val();
 
     if( !partialName.length ) {