diff --git a/data/language-specs/perl.lang b/data/language-specs/perl.lang
index ecf98ab..e0673d2 100644
--- a/data/language-specs/perl.lang
+++ b/data/language-specs/perl.lang
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ FIXME: =pod should require an empty line before/after, as written in perlpod
          please look at it, it seems wrong. It probably should be a positive
          look-behind. -->
     <define-regex id="pattern-before" extended="true">
-      (?&lt;![a-zA-Z0-9@%{(])
+      (?&lt;![a-zA-Z0-9@%{(\-])
     </define-regex>
 
     <context id="in-pattern">
