diff --git a/syntax/markdown.vim b/syntax/markdown.vim
index a1aadf3..5700d4b 100644
--- a/syntax/markdown.vim
+++ b/syntax/markdown.vim
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ unlet! s:type
 syn sync minlines=10
 syn case ignore
 
-syn match markdownValid '[<>]\S\@!'
+syn match markdownValid '[<>]\c[a-z/$!]\@!'
 syn match markdownValid '&\%(#\=\w*;\)\@!'
 
 syn match markdownLineStart "^[<@]\@!" nextgroup=@markdownBlock