diff --git a/js/twister_following.js b/js/twister_following.js
index 4fc54c2..5dc8d6a 100644
--- a/js/twister_following.js
+++ b/js/twister_following.js
@@ -367,12 +367,18 @@ 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;
     }